VANADINITE
yellow and red vanadinite from Old Geronimo Mine, Arizona
Vanadinite is a member of the apatite group. The alloy of vanadium and iron is used to make certain steels. A compound of vanadium is also an important catalyst in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. A catalyst is a chemical which helps a chemical reaction to happen, without being changed itself by the reaction.
The mineral was named by a Swedish chemist, Sefstrom, which may explain its name! (From "Vana dis" (Old Norse) the goddess Freyja from nordic myths)
Hardness: 3 Other characteristics