20918 - Beautiful Red Vanadinite Crystals on Manganese Oxide Mibladen Mining District, Morocco

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. 

This is a brilliant grouping of large, bright red, vanadinite crystals from Midelt, Morocco. This specimen has a cluster of many lustrous and well defined crystals.