Vanadinite on Barite

Mibladen, Aït Oufella Caïdat, Midelt Cercle,

Midelt Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

16.4cm tall x 11.3 cm wide

The Drâa-Tafilalet Region of Morocco, best known to collectors simply as Mibladen, is the world’s most important, and prolific locality for the species vanadinite. The earliest reference to vanadinite from Morocco appears in the very first issue of the Mineralogical Record:

“The vanadinite specimens coming from Mibladen, Morocco are perhaps the finest ever produced anywhere. Large as these crystals are, they are very sharply defined in habit and run a gamut of colors from bright red to rich brown.”

White, J. S. (1970). What’s New in Minerals. The Mineralogical Record, 1(1), 32.

This vanadinite is a captivating celebration of geological elegance. The vibrant red vanadinite crystals are immediate focal points, enrapturing the viewer with their vivid color and geometric precision. The glassy surface of the crystals brilliantly reflects light, creating an ever-changing visual experience. This sharp contrast against the more subdued and organic texture of the barite matrix is visually striking, capturing the raw beauty of the earth's interior. This specimen epitomizes the primary attributes necessary for it to be considered in the top 1%.