Vanadinite

Specimens of this platy crystal habit of Vanadinite came out of Morocco several years ago in a quick burst over a short period of time.  Now we hardly see any on the market and so they appear to have been a limited one-off find.  This splendid miniature displays excellent burnt cherry red tabular hexagonal Vanadinite crystals on both sides, some measuring up to 1.7 cm in an overlapping and stepped habit.  On one side in particular they are offset and overlap similar to roof tiles or dragon scales, so producing a beautiful effect and most unusual crystallographic arrangement.  The scaly surfaces are slightly convex on one side and concave on the opposite. Examining the specimen side on, the first few rows of the smaller Vanadinite crystals curve over, as if gently bent during growth under gravity.  It is a crystallographic delight both for its aesthetics and scientific interest.