Dark Vanadinite

A “classic locality” in the mineral world, the lead mines of Morocco are famous for lustrous, well-formed, and vibrantly red Vanadinite crystals. Mined since the late 1800s, the area didn’t produce significant amounts of lead until the 1900s, and Vanadinite of notable quality wasn’t recovered until the 1970s- it was from then on that the mine reached its height of productivity. Crystals found during that time were highly sought after, no matter if they contained any blemishes or were lower in quality. Pieces from this era are considered almost historical and a collector’s classic, though many modern finds from the region have surpassed them in quality and aesthetics.