Vanadinite

Vanadinite, a member of the apatite group of phosphates, typically exhibits a vibrant red or orange-red hue. This mineral serves as a significant industrial source for the metal vanadium and contributes to the extraction of lead on a smaller scale.

Presenting as dense and brittle, vanadinite commonly manifests in the shape of red hexagonal crystals. Its formation is an uncommon occurrence, resulting from the oxidation of lead ore deposits like galena. Initially identified in Mexico in 1801, vanadinite deposits have been subsequently discovered in arid climates across South America, Europe, Africa, and North America.