Vanadinite

Vanadinite
General
CategoryVanadate minerals
Apatite group
Formula
(repeating unit)
Pb5(VO4)3Cl
IMA symbolVna[1]
Strunz classification8.BN.05
Crystal systemHexagonal
Crystal classDipyramidal (6/m)
H-M symbol: (6/m)
Space groupP63/m
Unit cella = 10.3174,
c = 7.3378 [Å]; Z = 2
Identification
Formula mass1416.27 g/mol
ColourBright red, orange-red, red-brown, brown, yellow, whitish, grey or colourless or weakly tinted in transmitted light; pale straw-yellow;. may be concentrically zoned
Crystal habitPrismatic or nodular; may be acicular, hairlike, fibrous; rarely rounded, globular
CleavageNone
FractureUneven to conchoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness3–4
LustreResinous to sub-adamantine
Streakbrownish yellow
DiaphaneityTransparent, translucent or opaque
Specific gravity6.8–7.1 (measured) 6.95 (calculated)
Optical propertiesUniaxial (−)
Refractive indexnω = 2.416, nε = 2.350
Birefringenceδ = 0.066
Ultraviolet fluorescenceNone
Melting point3,470 °F (1,910 °C)
References[2][3][4]

Vanadinite is a mineral belonging to the apatite group of phosphates, with the chemical formula Pb5(VO4)3Cl. 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.

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference WebMineral was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference MinDat was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C., eds. (2000). "Vanadinite". Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF). Vol. IV (Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates). Chantilly, VA, US: Mineralogical Society of America. ISBN 0962209732.