What is Vanalite?
Vanalite is a bright yellow hydrated sodium aluminium vanadate, a rare secondary mineral from vanadium-rich oxidation zones.
Mineralogy and structure
Reference formula: NaAl9V12O42(OH)4·33H2O. Vanalite is monoclinic, strongly hydrated and compositionally described by both idealised and analytical formulas. No suitable public COD model was selected for this batch, so no artificial lattice is shown. Vanalite is classified with vanadates and has monoclinic crystal symmetry. Typical hardness is 2–2.5 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 2.3–2.4.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include bright yellow, orange-yellow, yellow-brown. The usual platy, crusty, granular habit and vitreous, waxy, dull lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Vanalite forms in or is associated with oxidised vanadium deposits, fractures and weathered vanadium-bearing rocks. Important documented localities include the Kurumsak V Deposit in Kazakhstan and other rare vanadium localities.
Bright yellow chemistry from a vanadium deposit
Vanalite is a specialist colour mineral whose yellow surface signals unusual vanadium and aluminium chemistry. Type locality, hydration state and analytical confirmation are essential to a credible sale.
Collecting and care
Keep dry and away from dust, acids and prolonged contact. Handle vanadium-bearing material as a protected ore specimen.
