Vanadinite

specimen number:
2072212

location:
Mibladen, Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco

description:
Lustrous red tabular crystals of vanadanite across the front of matrix. In good condition with very minimal micro-chipping present.

Mibladen, situated in the Midelt Province of the Khenifra-Beni Mellal region in Morocco, is arguably the world's premier locality for vanadinite specimens. Geologically, the deposit is hosted within the Mibladen District of the Upper Moulouya Basin, where mineralization occurs as stratabound Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits within Jurassic-aged dolomitic limestones and marls. The vanadinite crystals, prized for their deep red to orange color and sharp hexagonal tabular habit, formed as secondary oxidation products of primary lead sulfides in a desert environment. Historically, the French mining company Penarroya began large-scale industrial lead mining here in the early 20th century, with peak operations occurring between 1945 and 1975. After the industrial mine closed in 1983 due to the depletion of lead ore bodies, the site transitioned into a specialized mineral specimen source. Today, local miners continue to work the abandoned shafts and shallow pits, hand-extracting world-class vanadinite clusters that supply the global mineral market.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.