Magnesiopascoite

Description

Magnesiopascoite has a hardness of 2½ and a specific gravity of 2.43. It was named for being the Ca₂Mg analogue of Pascoite. It’s found in only 9 locations so far worldwide, with five in Utah and four in Colorado, all in the same area.

A specimen analyzed by WebMineral showed it contains roughly 52% Oxygen, 38% Vanadium, 5% Calcium, 2% Hydrogen and Magnesium, and a trace amount of Zinc and Cobalt. While it’s not Vanadinite, it’s still a great representation of how Vanadium is found in nature!

However, as the Packrat Mine is one of the more famous and longest producing mines in the region, this particular rock is a little more expensive than a generic Vanadinite. So, even though it’d be a great Vanadium sample, it’s a better representation of a mineral from the Colorado Uranium boom and will likely find its home with a Colorado mineral collector.

It’s formed from post-mining leaching and oxidation of V-U oxide-replacement assemblage developed at the expense of organic material in association with Rossite, Pyrite, Montroseite, Martyitewith, Gypsum, Hummerite, Asphaltite, Sandstone, and Sherwoodite, so, if you happen to be walking around the area from where this was found, or another area where those other minerals might be found, be sure to keep your eyes out for a rock like this and make a new discovery!