Vanadinite is a rare mineral belonging to the group of vanadates and phosphates, along with the famous mineral apatite. Vanadinite has a bright and intense red color, combined with orange tones and striking crystals with an isomorphic hexagonal shape, making it one of the most sought after gemstones by collectors.
Furthermore, it is a vanadium ore, which means that it has multiple industrial applications, including the production of lead.
At the end of this article, you will know why the vanadinite crystal is one of the most popular among collectors, where it comes from and how popular belief is entrenched in the use of this gem for multiple spiritual purposes.
Vanadinite stone properties
| vanadinite | Physical and chemical properties |
|---|---|
| Cluster | phosphates, vanadates |
| Chemical formula | bp5(V.O.4)3Cl |
| Color | Bright red, orange, brown, yellow-brown, yellow, greenish-brown, gray. Crystals can also be multicolored. |
| Stripe | Light yellow |
| Mohs hardness | 2.5 – 3 |
| Crystalline system | Hexagonal |
| Transparency | transparent to opaque |
| Specific weight | 6.7 – 7.2 |
| Brightness | adamantine grease |
| cleavage | None |
| Fracture | conchoidal to uneven |
| Tenacity | Fragile |
| striking features | Color and luster, crystal habits, and occurrences. |
| geological setting | As a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of lead ore deposits. |
The mineral vanadinite is a lead chlorovanadate whose chemical formula is expressed as follows: Pb5(V.O.4)3Cl. The most common colors of vanadinite are bright red and orange-red, but it can also appear brown, gray, yellow and even colorless.
The stripe is yellow-brown or pale yellow, while its shine can be resinous or adamantine. can be from transparent to opaque or translucent, and its hardness varies from 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale.
Vanadinite stone occurs occurs in the form of hexagonal prisms, tabular and short, which may have slits or grow in a hopper. As usual, the crystals are pyramidal, with smaller hexagonal plates and other groups of crusty, fibrous, reniform and radiating crystals.
The most common impurities in this mineral are calcium, arsenic and phosphorus, three elements that can serve as an isomorphic replacement for vanadium. The arsenic impurity in vanadinite is called endlichite.
Meaning and metaphysical properties of the vanadinite gem
Vanadinite comes from Vanadis, one of the names of Freyja, the Norse goddess of fertility and feminine energy. On a spiritual level, the vanadinite crystal It is connected to the terrestrial chakra, which allows people to accept themselves as they are, without complexes and with all their potential to grow.
In this way, it is possible rooting the spirit with the physical body for the person to feel in his own environment, this is one of the most important spiritual properties of the vanadinite stone.
From a metaphysical point of view, it is believed that this precious mineral allows people to find their inner clarity so that they can be more patient in certain situations.
In addition, the culture affirms that this stone allows to preserve the material and spiritual wealth In addition to creating a positive environment for setting important goals, create order in life and walk with a firm step in complex situations.
These beliefs have been held for centuries in many cultures around the world. Nevertheless, there is no scientific evidence to support them.
Origin, formation and deposits of vanadinite
The vanadinite gemstone occurs as secondary mineral in oxidation zone deposits containing lead. Generally, it can be found in oxidized veins that integrate lead minerals, and is usually associated with the oxidation of galena, the mineral form of lead sulfide.
However, it is also associated with limonite, wulfenite and barite. It can be formed to a greater extent in arid climates.
The deposits or deposits of the mineral vanadinite are found more than 400 mines around the world, located in countries such as Spain, Austria, Scotland, South Africa, the Ural Mountains, Morocco, Namibia, Mexico, Argentina and the USA.
Vanadinite Crystal Uses
Being a vanadium ore, vanadinite several applications at an industrial level, including lead treatment.
Most of the vanadium is used in the manufacture of vanadium and ferrovanadium pentoxide. The latter is an iron alloy that offers resistance to corrosion and strong shocks Therefore, it is usually incorporated into steel to prevent oxidation and increase its resistance.
On the other hand, vanadium pentoxide applied as fabric dye, to speed up some chemical reactions, and in the superconducting imaging in combination with gallium.