Vanadinite on Bladed Baryte from Mibladen

This vanadinite specimen comes from the Mibladen mining district near Midelt in Morocco. Numerous orange to orange-red vanadinite crystals cover a three-dimensional matrix of white to cream-colored baryte.

The baryte forms thin, bladed to tabular crystals arranged in several overlapping groups. Numerous small vanadinite crystals occur on the crystal surfaces and between the baryte blades. Their strong color and pronounced luster stand out clearly against the light-colored baryte matrix. Small metallic galena areas complete the mineral association.

Vanadinite on Bladed Barite

Vanadinite is a lead chlorovanadate and a characteristic mineral of Moroccan lead deposits. Its crystals belong to the hexagonal crystal system and commonly form short prismatic to tabular shapes.

In this hand specimen, the main feature is not the size of individual crystals, but the extensive coverage of the well-developed barite matrix. The combination of orange vanadinite, light-colored baryte, and small galena areas is characteristic of the mineralization at Mibladen.