Vanadinite on Barite

specimen number:
2072012

location:
Mibladen, Ait Oufella Caidat, Midelt Cercle, Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco

description:
Lustrous red tabular crystals of vanadinite to 0.5 cm in size covering most of the barite crystal matrix. In good condition.

Mibladen in Morocco is part of a historic mining district in the Atlas Mountains that was developed primarily for lead and associated metals during the 20th century. The deposits occur as hydrothermal veins and replacement bodies hosted in limestone, where mineralizing fluids introduced lead and other elements into the rock. Mining activity exposed extensive oxidized zones that became well known for their mineral specimens. Among the most notable is vanadinite, which occurs as bright red hexagonal crystals often forming clusters and drusy coatings on matrix. These crystals developed under arid conditions where lead and vanadium bearing solutions interacted in the near surface environment. Vanadinite from Mibladen is highly regarded by collectors for its color, crystal form, and abundance, making the locality one of the classic sources of this mineral.

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