What is Endlichite?
Endlichite is the arsenic-bearing variety of vanadinite, a dense lead vanadate found in colourful oxidised lead deposits.
Mineralogy and structure
Reference formula: Pb5(VO4)3Cl. Endlichite is a variety of vanadinite rather than a separate species. Its structure is represented by the vanadinite lattice, while arsenic-for-vanadium substitution explains the variety name.
Colour and appearance
Typical colours include yellow, orange, brown, red-brown. The usual hexagonal, prismatic, granular habit and resinous, adamantine lustre are useful descriptive features, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and localities
Endlichite forms in or is associated with oxidised zones of lead-vanadium deposits, commonly with vanadinite, mimetite and descloizite. Important documented localities include Namibia, Morocco, Mexico, Arizona, Argentina and other arid lead districts.
Collecting and care
Lead-bearing material is for protected display only; avoid dust, cutting and grinding, and retain the locality and analytical information.
Endlichite in popular symbolism
Modern crystal guides sometimes associate Endlichite with symbolic themes based on colour or collecting tradition. These associations are cultural interpretations, not mineralogical or medical properties.
