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vanadinite


Geology/History

A relatively uncommon mineral belonging to the Apatite group of phosphates. Vanadinite is one of the main industrial ores of the metal Vanadium & is sometimes used as a Lead ore. It is composed (by weight) of 73.15% lead, 10.79% vanadium, 13.56% oxygen, & 2.50% chlorine. A secondary mineral which occurs through chemical alterations of a pre-existing material.
Found in arid climates & formed by the oxidation of lead ore deposits such as Galena. During oxidisation Vanadium is leached from wall-rock silicates & Vanadinite starts to grow. Associated minerals include Mimetite, Pyromorphite, Descloizite, Mottramite, Wulfenite, Cerussite, Anglesite, Calcite, Barite & other various Iron oxides minerals.

First discovered in 1801 in Mexico by Spanish mineralogist Andres Manuel del Rio & later named by 19th century Swedish chemist Nils Seftsrom in 1830 after Vanadis (Freyja), the norse god of beauty. Vanadinite deposits have since been unearthed in South America, Europe, Africa & North America.

The Vanadium can be extracted by roasting & smelting. A commonly used process for extracting the Vanadium begins with heating of Vanadinite to about 850°C with Salt (NaCl) or Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3). This produces Sodium Vanadate (NaVO3). This is dissolved in water, then treated with Ammonium Chloride. This gives the precipitate of Ammonium Metavanadate, which is then melted to create a crude form of Vanadium Pentoxide (V2O5). The final stage is the reduction of Vanadium Pentoxide with Calcium results in pure Vanadium.

In modern day society Vanadium has many important commercial uses. The first large-scale industrial use of Vanadium in steels was in the chassis of the Ford T Model, this introduction was inspired by French race cars. Vanadium steel is lighter in weight & has greater tensile strength. Vanadium oxide has been used to induce colour centres in Corundum & create simulated Alexandrite which is naturally a Chrysoberyl.

Metaphysical Properties
Very high energy crystal, promotes great strength & energetic endurance. An excellent creation & manifestation crystal, helps to develop & unfold ideas. Increases the auric energy creating connectivity & ignites Kundalini fire making it an excellent healing tool. Focuses the mind & removes blockages.

Opens the third eye & crown. Gives understanding of external energies & how to harness them. Fantastic for stress relief as it shows problems as opportunities. Removes negative energy & protects positive energy. This is the get it done crystal. Will charge other crystals.

Crystal Healing
Used for breathing difficulties e.g. Asthma, bronchitis. Good for exhaustion, digestion & problems with bladder.

Mineralogy
Group: Vanadate Mineral, Apatite group, Phosphates.
Crystal System: Hexagonal, Dipyramidal
Composition: Pb5(VO4)3Cl
Form/Habit: Prismatic or nodular; may be acicular, hair like, fibrous; rarely rounded, globular
Hardness: 3-4
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Uneven to conchoidal
Lustre: Resinous to sub-adamantine
Streak: Brownish yellow
Specific Gravity: 6.8–7.1 (measured) 6.95 (calculated)
Transparency: Transparent, translucent or opaque
R.I: nω = 2.416, nε = 2.350
Colour: Bright red, orange-red, red-brown, brown, yellow, grey or colourless, may be concentrically zoned
Birefringence: δ = 0.066
Fluorescence: None
Strunz Classification: 08.BN.05

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