The Mineral VANADINITE

Chemistry: Pb5(VO4)3Cl , Lead Chlorovanadate
Class: Phosphates
Group: Apatite
Uses: as a minor ore of lead and mineral specimens
Specimens

Vanadinite shares the same structure with Apatite and the two share similar crystal shapes at times. Vanadinite is part of a chemical series with two other minerals; Pyromorphite (Pb5(PO4)3Cl) and Mimetite (Pb5(AsO4)3Cl). This series is a little different than most chemical series which involve substitution of cations such as calcium for magnesium. Instead, this series substitutes its basic chemical units the anion groups; phosphate (PO4), arsenate (AsO4) and vanadate (VO4). Vanadinite is usually red which the other members of this series and apatite group usually are not. Vanadinite's classic crystal habit is short hexagonal prisms terminated by a pinacoid, or flat basal face. These crystals are wider than they are long and are more blade-like than the barrel shaped crystals so common to the Apatite Group minerals. The high luster and deep red color give vanadinite a nice appeal to mineral collectors.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is typically bright red to orange, less commonly gray or brown.
Luster is vitreous to adamantine.
Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is hexagonal; 6/m
Crystal Habit is typically the hexagonal prism with pinacoid as a termination. Rare crystals can have the hexagonal pyramid as a termination. Can also be found as rounded masses and crusts.
Cleavage is none.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 3.
Specific Gravity is approximately 6.6+ (very heavy for translucent minerals)
Streak is yellowish white.
Associated Minerals are wulfenite, limonite, barite, galena and secondary lead deposit minerals.
Other Characteristics: index of refraction is 2.39 (typically high for lead minerals) and crystal terminations can be hollowed out or pitted but not as often as pyromorphite or mimetite.
Notable Occurances include Arizona, USA; Mexico; Tsumeb, Nambia; Zambia; and South Africa.
Best Field Indicators are color, crystal habit, high luster and density.

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