Vanadinite
“Fiery red hexagonal crystals”
Vanadinite is a lead chlorovanadate mineral that forms stunning bright red to orange hexagonal prismatic crystals. It occurs in the oxidation zones of lead deposits and is both an important ore of vanadium — a metal used to strengthen steel — and a highly sought-after collector's mineral.
lead chlorovanadate (Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl)
Mibladen (Morocco — world's finest), Apache Mine (Arizona, USA), Grootfontein (Namibia), Berg Aukas (Namibia), Los Lamentos (Mexico)
2.5-3
Vanadium steel, produced using vanadium from minerals like vanadinite, was used by Henry Ford in the Model T — he chose it because vanadium alloys were three times stronger than ordinary steel at the same weight.
Test Your Knowledge
What automotive pioneer used vanadium steel — derived from minerals like vanadinite — as a key innovation?
Related Specimens
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