of
the 15th century who discovered the properties of antimony. This
mineral occurs in Bohemia, Hungary, Saxony, Quebec and New Brunswick.
Vanadinite:
Vanadium Pentoxide 19.4%, Lead Protoxide 78.7%. This mineral occurs in
prismatic crystals, which are sometimes hollow; also in rounded forms,
in parallel groups, and as incrustations. Color deep ruby-red, light
brownish-yellow and reddish-brown. Translucent to opaque. Vanadinite is
a source of lead and an important source of vanadium, which is
employed in the manufacture of certain grades of steel and bronze.
It is widely distributed but occurs principally in Mexico, Sweden, England, Arizona and New Mexico.
Vanadium:
A white metal with a strong metallic luster, somewhat resembling
silver, but still more like molybdenum. It is employed in the
manufacture of certain grades of steel and bronze and its compounds are
used as pigments and mordants. Vanadium is obtained from Vanadinite,
Endlichite, Carno-tite and Patronite and is named after Vanadis, a
Scandinavian Deity.
Variscite:
Aluminium Phosphate. Phosphorus Pentoxide 45%, Alumina 32.3%. Occurs in
prismatic crystals usually six-sided but indistinct; commonly as
sheaf-like aggregates; and as incrustations with reniform surface.
Color deep emerald-green and bluish-green to colorless. Transparent to
translucent.
Variscite
resembles in some respects certain varieties of Turquoise and has
recently come into use as a gem material. A mixture of Variscite and
rock matrix is cut and employed as settings in jewelry, but because of
its softness it cannot be used for all the purposes as Turquoise matrix.
In the United States it occurs in Utah, Arkansas and Nevada.
Vesuvianite:
Silicate of Calcium and Aluminium. Formula uncertain. Occurs in
prismatic crystals, massive, granular massive, or cryptocrystalline.
Color brown to green, the latter frequently bright and clear;
occasionally sulphur-yellow and also light blue. It is transparent or
translucent.
This
mineral was first discovered among the ancient ejections of Vesuvius
but has since been found in many other places. A bright green massive
variety from California, resembling Jade, is used as a gem under the
name of Californite. Cyprine is a blue variety that is used as a gem
stone. In the U. S. it occurs in Maine, New York and California.
