Published June 2017  •  Updated March 2024  •  Read Time: 7 minutes
Vanadinite is a rare bright orange phosphate mineral.  It is sometimes mined as an ore for Vanadium, a metal used to strengthen steel, which is almost always found compounded in minerals, rather than free-forming.  The Vanadinite sold in the collector’s market is mined on a small-scale specifically for its beauty.  Because it is very soft and fragile, it is usually left in its natural state rather than being polished.  Vanadinite is closely associated with Freya, the Norse Goddess of love and beauty, which is usually depicted as having bright red hair. Vanadinite urges us to take action about the topics that matter most to us.  It is a wonderful stone for activists and dreamers.

Vanadinite

Vanadinite Meaning

Spiritual Healing Properties

Vanadinite calls on us to put our spirit into action! It invites us to do something about the topics which leave deep impressions on our heart and mind. It shows us that we are not helpless and reminds us that the spiritual and earthly worlds are closely connected. Vanadinite gives us stamina and grounding so we can pursue our spiritual work. It helps us to clearly define our goals and the actions needed to achieve them. Vanadinite also teases us not to take ourselves too seriously. It invites us to enjoy the journey, to see the beauty of the present moment and to sense the humanity inside all people. Vanadinite magnifies elemental energy gifts, including weather sensitivity and the ability to sense lay lines, vortexes and other earth energy. It likewise increases our ability to feel and direct energy in the physical body. When working on our ourselves, Vanadinite helps to open the energy channels inside us so that they can be cleansed and realigned. It also helps us to empty our mind during meditation and be more receptive to messages during prayer. When healing others, Vanadinite provides healers with grounding and support so that we don’t exhaust ourselves or give too much. Vanadinite is also an excellent stone for anyone who need to curb over-spending and be more thrifty. Vanadinite is attuned to the Root (1st), Sacral (2nd), Solar Plexus (3rd) and Third Eye (6th) Chakras and linked to the astrological sign of Virgo. It is connected to the element of Fire and vibrates to the numbers 9.

Metaphysical Properties Vanadinite
Chakra Root (1st), Sacral (2nd), Solar Plexus (3rd) and Third Eye (6th)
Element Fire
Numerology 9
Zodiac Virgo

Emotional Healing Properties

Vanadinite has a very playful and highly creative energy that encourages us to think outside the box and be bold. It invites us to be more adventurous and be more comfortable with risk. It facilitates a childlike sense of wonder and trust in the world. At the same time, Vanadinite reminds us to use common sense and be aware of consequences. Vanadinite is especially useful for helping us to break free from the expectations of others and to be true to ourselves. It helps us recognize our own beauty and gifts. Vanadinite is a valuable ally for exploring self-love and self-acceptance. Rather than focusing on compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love, Vanadinite helps us to see where we are already good and don’t need improvement. It helps us to truly LIKE ourselves and that in turn creates a solid emotional foundation on which self-love can easily grow. Vanadinite magnifies our ability to feel truly happy and content.

Mental Healing Properties

Vanadinite encourages us to ask questions, rather than simply accept the way things are. It helps us to think clearly and constructively as well as to organize effectively. Vanadinite helps us to define our actual goals and priorities and to actively work towards them. It helps us to keep the big picture in mind and fights against boredom during long workdays. Vanadinite is a wonderful stone to work with whenever we have a big project with a deadline. It provides endurance, persistence and creativity so that we can finish the project as quickly as possible and/or stay on schedule. Vanadinite is also useful for artists, writers and other creatives who need to complete their projects, even if there isn’t a clear deadline.

Physical Healing Properties

Vanadinite is an excellent ally for anyone who spends too much time in their head and needs to connect with their physical body. It encourages physical strength, flexibility, stamina and focus. It also helps us to use our energy wisely. As such, it is highly recommended for athletes who need to perform at a high level. Vanadinite is used by metaphysical healers to support the physical body during hormonal change, such as puberty, pregnancy, post-natal, and menopause. It is said to help the body produce the right amount of hormones to help us feel comfortable and energized. Vanadinite is also believed to increase sexual energies and help with arousal. It is used to treat chronic exhaustion, bladder problems, and breathing difficulties such as asthma. Vanadinite is also believe to protect against EMF from computers and other electronics.

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Vanadinite Mineralogy

Where does Vanadinite come from?

Vanadinite is a relatively rare crystal, but found in numerous locations. Superb specimens have been mined in Brazil, Mexico, Morocco, Scotland and the United States (mainly Arizona). Vanadinite is also found in in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chili, Czech Republic, Congo, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Namibia, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Mining and Treatments

Vanadinite may be mined industrially as a source of Vanadium, a elemental metal that is added to steel to make it stronger.  While some metal elements, like Copper may be mined in their pure native form, Vanadium is almost always found as a compound in minerals, rather than free-forming.  The only known source for native Vanadium is in Colima Volcano in Mexico.  However, much of the collector-quality Vanadinite is dug by hand in small mines, usually in the desert.

All Vanadinites may be considered fully natural, enhanced only by tumbling, cutting, or polishing.

Vanadinite Placeholder
Vanadinite

The Environmental & Social Impact of Crystals

Your crystals should have a healing energy that is clean, powerful, & makes a positive difference.

Mineral Family

Vanadinite is a relatively rare phosphate mineral. These minerals all contain Phosphorus and Oxygen in a 1:4 ratio (written as PO4), which are then combined with various other elements to create unique minerals.

Vanadinite’s energy works well with its family – other Phosphate minerals.  Try it in combination with Apatite, Lazulite, Trolleite, Turquoise and Variscite.

Vanadinite Formation and Crystal Associates

Vanadinite forms in arid regions, exclusively as a secondary mineral. It is created due to chemical alterations of oxidized lead ore deposits, usually Galena. Collector’s pieces are a striking bright orange-red color. However, Vanadinite can also be a dull red-brown.

Vanadinite’s energy works well with its “friends” – crystal associates formed in the same geological environment.  Try it in combination with Barite

Mineralogy Vanadinite
Chemical Formula Pb5(VO4)3Cl
Cleavage None
Color Orange-red
Crystal System Hexagonal
Form/Habit Hexagonal prisms
Fracture Uneven, brittle
Hardness – Mohs Scale 3
Luminescence Yellow (long wave) / Greenish-yellow (short wave)
Luster Adamantine
Mineral Family Phosphates
Specific Gravity 6.9
Streak White-yellow
Transparency Transparent-translucent

History of Vanadinite

Vanadinite is a relatively new crystal to the metaphysical community. It was not included in any of the early lapidaries, books that describe gemstones and their powers. It is included in many of the modern ones, due to its striking appearance and bright energy. Because Vanadinite is so soft and brittle, it is usually sold in its raw form, rather then tumbled or shaped.

It was first described scientifically in 1803 in “New Spain”, the colonial name for modern Mexico. The original specimen came from Purísima del Cardenal mine, in Hildalgo, Mexio and was given to Andrés Manuel del Río, a Spanish mineralogist and professor at Real Seminario de Minería (College of Mines). Del Río referred to the mineral as “brown lead” and closely analyse its chemical structure. He determined that it contained a new element, which he named panchromium, because he had prepare the element in such a way that it produced a wide variety of colors. He later renamed the element erythronium (after the Greek for “red”) when he discovered the element turned a bright red when heated. Unfortunately for Del Río, he later retracted the claim to have found a new element, after other scientists incorrectly analyzed mineral specimens and said the new element was merely an impure form of chromium.

In 1838, his discovery was proven correct by Nils Gabriel Sefström, a Swedish chemist, who found that the “brown lead” did indeed contain a new element. Sefström named the new element vanadium, after the Vanadis, “the children of the Vanir” a tribe of Viking gods and goddess. The most famous member of the Vanir is Freya, the goddess of love and beauty who had bright red hair. Soon after, Del Río’s “brown lead” was the officially named Vanadinite. A few scientists in the United States and United Kingdom argued that Del Río should have the honors, but ultimately Sefström’s supporters were victorious.

Del Río, was bitter that he had lost the right to name the new element and mineral, but nevertheless had a long and productive career. During the Mexican Revolution, most Spanish residents were expelled back to Europe. Del Río was one of the few exceptions. He considered Mexico his homeland and was honored there throughout his lifetime. He continued to teach at the College of Mines and laid the foundation for the current Institute of Geology at the University of Mexico. Today, Mexico’s prestigious National Chemistry Prize, given to Mexican chemists who have made a significant contribution to the field, is named the “Andrés Manuel Del Río” and the award metal bears his likeness.

'Freyja And The Necklace', Vanadinite

Freyja and the Necklace by James Doyle Penrose

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