Vanadinite is a mineral belonging to the
apatite group of
phosphates. It is one of the main industrial ores of the metal
vanadium and a minor source of
lead. A dense, brittle mineral, it is usually found in the form of red hexagonal
crystals. It is an uncommon mineral, formed by the oxidation of lead ore deposits such as
galena. First discovered in 1801 in Mexico, vanadinite deposits have since been unearthed in South America, Europe, Africa, and North America. This
cluster of reddish brown
tabular vanadinite crystals, measuring 4.0 cm × 2.5 cm × 2.3 cm (1.57 in × 0.98 in × 0.91 in), was found in a mine in
Mibladen, Morocco. The photograph was
focus-stacked from 212 separate images using software.
Photograph credit: Ivar Leidus