Vagunite

Vagunite is a rare mineral that was first discovered in 1987 in the Vagabond Mine, located in the Red Mountain Mining District of Arizona, USA. It is named after the mine where it was found. Vagunite is a complex oxide mineral with the chemical formula (Na,Ca)2(Fe,Mn)2O5. It typically forms as a secondary mineral in oxidized zones of iron and manganese deposits, often associated with other minerals such as hematite, goethite, and psilomelane.

The mineral is characterized by its dark brown to black color, which is due to the presence of iron and manganese in its structure. Vagunite has a submetallic luster and a hardness of approximately 5.5 on the Mohs scale. It is typically found in the form of small, dark brown to black crystals or as coatings on other minerals. The crystals are often prismatic or tabular in shape, and they can be found in aggregates or as individual crystals.

Vagunite is of limited interest to collectors and mineral enthusiasts due to its rarity and the fact that it is often found in small, poorly formed crystals. However, it is an important mineral for geologists and mineralogists, as it provides valuable information about the geological processes that occur in oxidized zones of iron and manganese deposits. The study of vagunite and other minerals found in these deposits can help scientists better understand the formation and evolution of these types of mineral deposits.