We present here a surprising pocket of Vanadinite from a new mine near the old ACF Mine workings, with robust geometric, cogwheel-like and flowery crystal habits - we bought the entire pocket and cherrypicked out about 70 choice specimens for update. In person, these are very much more robust, and show unusual forms, compared to most previous finds in this area. 40 Premium specimens are in the first portion of this update, with professional photos by Joseph Budd. The second portion of the update has many miniatures, mostly bargains at $500 and under.

See All Specimens by scrolling down, below: 67 specimens on 5 pages

OR Click here to view UPDATE PART I (39 specimens):
of this VANADINITE NEW FIND

UPDATE PART II: THIS PORTION OF THE UPDATE CONSISTS OF FINE MINIATURES AND THUMBNAILS, ALL UNDER $1500, AND MOSTLY UNDER $500 ! Some real sleepers, here!

OR Click here to view UPDATE PART II (28 specimens):
of this VANADINITE NEW FIND

US$    € EURO    ¥ YEN    £ POUND    CAN$    AUS$    (click on a page number to go to that page:) 1 2 3 4 5  page 1 / 5  -  67 specimens selected  -  next  -  bottom  -  back to the Galleries  VANA09-1 - Vanadinite - $ 4000 Mibladen, Morocco cabinet, 13 x 6 x 3.1 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: A cluster of lustrous and translucent, gear-like vanadinite crystals reaching 2.5 cm or more across is aesthetically perched on contrasting matrix. The crystals have typical dark red color but additionally have brilliant gemmy highlights in orange and yellow; and several exhibit unusual hoppered growth. As one might expect with a soft mineral there are a few spots with minor dings (2 in front but mostly on the left periphery and really not visible as displayed): however the crystal size, color and specimen size taken together make this an elegant specimen of vanadinite that is quite appealing. Even with so many found before, the overall style of many of these pieces stands out and makes this lot distinct to my eye. VANA09-11 - Vanadinite - $ 2500 Mibladen, Morocco cabinet, 12 x 5 x 5.75 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: On a sliver of matrix is an intergrown cluster of equant, doubly terminated, lustrous and translucent, gear-shaped, reddish-brown crystals of vanadinite including a huge crystal that is 3 cm across. The crystals exhibit gemmy, orange to yellow highlights and a few exhibit incipient hopper growth, although the large crystal displays incredible hopper growth. A secondary phase of yellowish-tan vanadinite is present on the sides and bases of many crystals which is not as lustrous but actually serves to highlight all the more the front view, which is lustrous and a classic brick-red in color. An outstanding example of Moroccan vanadinite , unusual in its sculptural form and very nearly pristine condition for such a large and exposed specimen. VANA09-12 - Vanadinite - $ 2000 Mibladen, Morocco cabinet, 12 x 6 x 3 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Without question, the sculptural arrangement of this arched cluster of vanadinite is mind-boggling. I love the way the smaller crystals on the axis of the arch give way to the cluster perched at the center apex. The vanadinite crystals, to 1.5 cm across are mostly equant, doubly terminated, super-lustrous and translucent. No damage to the main cluster , and just a few of the tiny accessory xls have dings on the matrix section. They are gear-shaped, with a reddish-brown color. Gemmy highlights of orange and yellow seem to emanate from the depths of the crystals. The bases and sides of the crystals have a secondary yellowish-tan lustrous phase. A truly aesthetic and amazing mineral specimen with the highest quality of color and lustre for this pocket. VANA09-13 - Vanadinite - $ 2000 Mibladen, Morocco small cabinet, 6.3 x 7.3 x 3 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: This 3-dimensional cluster is a near floater that can be displayed in any direction. The intergrown crystals to1.5 cm across, are nearly equant, doubly terminated, gear-shaped, lustrous and translucent, and reddish-brown in color. gemmy highlights of orange and yellow appear to emanate from the depths of the crystals. A secondary, lustrous phase of tan on the sides and bases of some crystals as you see, but all the main frontal faces are otherwise bright and lustrous. Definitely a top-notch small cabinet specimen of vanadinite, showing the unusual gear-like and robust style of this pocket. VANA09-14 - Vanadinite - $ 7500 SOLD Mibladen, Morocco small cabinet, 6 x 5 x 2.75 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Perhaps my favorite in this size range, a spectacularly 3dimensional specimen with superb, cogwheel-like aesthetics. Nearly a complete floater, this is an impressive cluster of equant, doubly terminated, glassy and gemmy crystals to 2 cm across. Highlights of orange and yellow are emitted from the depths of the crystals. Incipient hopper growth is also noted on the back sides of some crystals. Complete all around, this piece has the fabulous lustre on nearly all sides. Clearly this specimen quality and form, along with it being pristine, make it a major competition piece. VANA09-15 - Vanadinite - $ 4000 SOLD Mibladen, Morocco miniature, 4.5 x 3.9 x 3.5 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Another near-floater of exceptional quality, this is a cluster of equant, doubly terminated glassy and gemmy crystals, to 2.4 cm across. The red tones are deep and vibrant. Additionally, orange to yellow gemmy highlights are emitted from the depths of the crystals in flashes of color on the side faces. The specimen exhibits a wonderful sculptural quality with a chasm in the middle setting off the two sections of the cluster. Another fine, pristine, competition quality vanadinite specimen and frankly one of the most impressive miniatures I have seen of the species from ANY pocket or style. It is radiantly colorful and the crystal size, and gear-like arrangement of this pocket, make it distinct. VANA09-16 - Vanadinite - $ 2500 Mibladen, Morocco small cabinet, 6.7 x 5.25 x 3.7 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Formed like an art easel, the two legs of this fine specimen have smaller vanadinite crystals that grow to a crescendo at the top of the specimen with a giant complete-all-around cluster atop. The crystals are equant, gear-shaped, doubly terminated, lustrous and translucent, and reach 2.4 cm across. Orange to yellow highlights are emitted from the crystal depths when viewed with light on side faces. A second , very thing generation of opaque beige colored vanadinite is on the back side of specimen and makes a nice color contrast with the reddish color on the front and sides,accentuating it all the more. This pristine piece is complete all around, and stands with very good geometry and dimensionality that does not come through in the photo as well as I'd wish. It is, really, an outstanding example for this pocket with the obvious habit and colors that stand out to my eye. VANA09-17 - Vanadinite - $ 12500 SOLD Mibladen, Morocco small cabinet, 8 x 6.75 x 6 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: One of the best of the pocket, this sculptural matrix specimen features rich vanadinites built up upon a well-trimmed matrix plate. Highlighted by a crystal perched at the apex of the specimen, which measures 2.75 cm across, this fine, pristine matrix specimen of equant, gear-shaped, doubly terminated, lustrous and translucent crystals is stereotypical fo the habit of this new pocket. But it is also a dramatic piece with major, robust vanadinites by ANY previous standard as well. Orange to yellow highlights are evident in flashes off the side faces. All the major crystals are deep red, translucent, and the whole clustre atop is complete ALL AROUND the backside, 360 degrees. The brown coating that appears on some pieces of this pocket is here limited to the bottom of some minor crystals, and to the bottom of the piece (which is itself crystallized under the matrix shard on which the main grouping sits). For the combination of qualies, crystal size, aesthetics overall, and sheer quantity of vanadinite piled upon a good matrix size, this is one of my favorites of the new pocket and it stands out dramatically from the crowd. It is true there are many styles of vanadinite out there but in the past, such large robust crystals tended to be on smaller specimens or without matrix, and the color and geometry combination here makes this one really transcend the ordinary, in my opinion. the photo cannot do it justice. Joe Budd photo VANA09-18 - Vanadinite - $ 450 Mibladen, Morocco miniature, 3.7 x 3.5 x 1.45 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: This is a complex, doubly-terminated, single, vanadinite crystal highlighted by super luster and translucence on the thin prism faces (facing up and to sides) and semi-lustrous basal terminations (facing front). It shows unusual hopper growth, where the edges of the crystal grew faster than the center, resulting in this oddly elongated form. The crystal color is reddish-brown whit gemmy orange to yellow highlights. When viewed along the prism (side) faces, the crystal appears gear-shaped. Almost pristine, this is one of the largest crystals recovered and stands on its own as a fine miniature - though it is quite a bit better in person VANA09-19 - Vanadinite - $ 2500 Mibladen, Morocco small cabinet, 8 x 6 x 3.9 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Aesthetically perched high on its contrasting matrix, is a flower-like spray of intergrown, doubly terminated, lustrous and translucent, brick-red vanadinite crystals, to 1.5 cm in length. Orange to yellow gemmy highlights are clearly evident along with the gear-shaped form characteristic for this pocket and perhaps more evident in person than in the photo. A secondary coating of beige, semi lustrous, vanadinite appears on the back side of the specimen but does not effect the front display, and the same thin coating on the underside of the major crystals serves to highligha dn accentuate their color all the more, giving sharper definition to the lower face edge boundaries. Pristine! Complete , and BETTER IN PERSON! VANA09-2 - Vanadinite - $ 6000 Mibladen, Morocco large cabinet, 18 x 8 x 5.9 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: This is a sculptural assemblage on matrix of dozens of fat, lustrous and translucent, gear-shaped, crystals of vanadinite to 1.7 cm across. Gemmy highlights of orange and yellow emanate from the crystals - which are mostly doubly-terminated and upright. The starkly upright crystals are unusual, from previous finds, against contrasting matrix. This is a lovely, nearly pristine specimen of vanadinite with just the most trivial of micro-dings here or there, hard to spot, and miraculous given the size and exposure of the specimen. A fine, large cabinet piece. VANA09-20 - Vanadinite - $ 2000 Mibladen, Morocco cabinet, 11.5 x 7 x 4.4 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Unusually discrete and isolated, equant, doubly terminated, barrel shaped crystals of vanadinite, to 2 cm across are aesthetically scattered over the upper portion of their matrix. The crystals are glassy and gemmy, especially on their prism faces which have a rich, brick-red color which is filled with interior orange and yellow highlights.For the quality of the crystals, this is about as good as it gets for the pocket on an individual basis. That they are isolated and so easy to show off, is important to the distinction of the specimen. The photo was shot to show maximal geometry and depth of focus, although in person you would rotate it a bit to the right so that the most lustrous side faces are all pointing out at the viewer and showing off their color flashes all the better. Clearly a superb cabinet specimen without being too big, either! VANA09-21 - Vanadinite - $ 9000 Mibladen, Morocco large cabinet, 18.5 x 13.25 x 6 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: This huge plate of vanadinite, in crystals to 1.5 cm across, is a near floater, with crystals covering the front, back and sides of the matrix. The crystals on the display (front and sides) face are equant, doubly terminated, gear-shaped and generally look like littlle red jewels. Lustrous and translucent, they are a reddish-brick color. Gemmy highlights of orange and yellow are present along with incipient hopper growth visible in the side faces of nearly all the crystals. Although there are minor dings on a few crystals (espeically a few at bottom), none of the dings is on a major crystal and in teh context of a piece the size of a football with hundreds of pristine larger crystals, ther eis no visible detraction from the persnickety dings that did come to be. The overall quality and size is very impressive, impactful, and simply colorful in a case. I have seen few large vanadinites as impressive as this for sheer visual impact, in fact, that were not priced at several times this amount. Note that the piece is actually more impressive in a case vertically, but for a photo the optimal angle was horizontal to try to optimize the focus and depth of field. It can certainly be displayed either way, though VANA09-22 - Vanadinite - $ 6000 SOLD Mibladen, Morocco small cabinet, 7 x 5.5 x 5.5 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Topped by a large vanadinite crystal measuring 3.0 cm in length, and exhibiting dramatic hopper growth, this solid mass of intergrown, doubly terminated, lustrous and translucent, gear-shaped , brick-red crystals is really unique! Gemmy highlights of orange and yellow abound when looked at head on as in the photo, and the view from the backside is almost as interesting as the front. The thin tan coating that covers some of the pieces in this pocket preferentially coats some faces, particularly the undersides. However, this actually (luckily) serves to accent and define face boundaries all the better without interfering with the burst of color you want to see in the front view. The piece is a floater, complete all around and with no point of contact.It is pristine save only a small ding. Nearly a floater this is a major vanadinite specimen that should easily be coveted by serious collectors if seen in person. It is MUCH more 3-dimensionally dramatic than a photo can easily convey and I value this highly as a shockingly original small cab vanadinite, that stands out amongst so many thousands I have seen in the past. VANA09-23 - Vanadinite - $ 4500 SOLD Mibladen, Morocco small cabinet, 6 x 5 x 5 cm CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE: Complete floater composed of only solid vanadinite, this outstanding small cab features lustrous and translucent, gear-shaped, reddish-brown crystals reaching 2.7 cm across.Orange to yellow gemmy highlights are present along with incipient hopper growth. Most of the crystals are doubly-terminated. There is on the base and back of many crystals in this pocket, a not-so-lustrous secondary phase of powdery vanadinite: but on this specimen the coating is confied to the back side entirely and all front-facing and side-facign crystals are red or red-toned all over. Just a superb display specimen of unusual habit, robust and geometric like few others here. It looks good from MANY angles and is one of my favorites of this new pocket. Joe Budd photo.