Volborthite

specimen number:
2072015

location:
Monument No. 1 Mine, Navajo Co., Arizona, USA

description:
Yellow green crystallized volborthite quite rich across this matrix. Nice example for the species in good condition. Previously the specimen was part of the collection of Renaud Vochten.

Volborthite is a rare copper vanadate mineral that typically occurs as yellow to greenish yellow crystalline aggregates and crusts in the oxidized zones of vanadium bearing copper deposits. It forms through secondary processes where copper and vanadium are mobilized and redeposited under arid conditions. One of the notable regions where volborthite has been found is Monument Valley in Arizona, an area known for its sandstone hosted uranium and vanadium deposits within the Colorado Plateau. The geology of Monument Valley consists of sedimentary rocks, particularly sandstones, where mineralizing fluids introduced uranium, vanadium, and copper into porous layers and fractures. Mining activity in the region began in the early to mid 20th century, primarily targeting uranium and vanadium ores. In the oxidized zones of these deposits, minerals such as volborthite developed as secondary products, and specimens from this area are valued for their color and association with this distinctive geologic setting.

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