Vanadinite (classic material)

Item Description

There are some minerals that people almost exclusively associate with a single world locality. Now that is not to say that the particular species isn't found in other places around the world, but in certain cases, the best examples are found in only one place, and the species becomes synonymous with the locality. The famous Vanadinites from around Mibladen are the finest examples of the species ever found. They are the largest, finest and most colorful crystals in the world, and I'm still amazed/impressed whenever I see a good one. Honestly, if it wasn't for Mibladen, Vanadinite wouldn't have much representation in the mineral world, as most crystals from other world localities are typically found in much smaller examples. This particular specimen is a wonderful toenail sized piece featuring fine quality, lustrous, rich red color, sharp, hexagonal crystals measuring up to 1.5 cm across on matrix. The prism faces of the crystals show wonderful skeletal/hoppered growth, but the pinacoid faces are incredibly smooth, distinct and well-formed. I love the orientation and arrangement of the crystals. I truly can't find any damage of note, and the piece looks great in person. A beautiful, fine quality example of these world-famous Vanadinites.
From the collection of David E Ziga, a geologist who graduated Miami (of Ohio) University in 2017, with a mineralogy background.