Vanadinite
Species
Uncommon · Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl
Lead vanadate chloride forming brilliant hexagonal crystals in the oxidised zones of lead deposits. The crystals sit heavier in the hand than their size suggests, from the lead in them. Its vanadium is leached from the surrounding rock and caught by the lead; the metal itself is mined mostly from titanium-rich magnetite.
Identity
- Formula
- Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl
- Chemical class
- Phosphate
- Mineral group
- Apatite, Mimetite, Pyromorphite
- Ore of
- Vanadium
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Habits
- Prismatic, Tabular, Hollow prismatic
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 6.88 g/cm³
- Luster
- Adamantine, Resinous
- Colors
- red, orange-red, orange, yellow, brown
- Streak
- white to yellow
- Transparency
- Transparent, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Sedimentary
- Associated minerals
- Mimetite, Wulfenite, Galena, Pyromorphite
- Found in
- Oxidized zone (gossan)
- Geography
- Morocco, USA (Arizona), Mexico, Namibia, Australia
Classification
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Gem quality
- No
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Vanadinite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
- Vanadium. U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, 2025.
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