Descloizite from Berg Aukas Mine, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia - image 1
Descloizite from Berg Aukas Mine, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia - image 2

Descloizite from Berg Aukas Mine, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia

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Superb miniature sized grouping of descloizite crystals without matrix. Very tiny and minimal micro-damage present, for one of these, this is in really good condition. Classic material for the species and locality. There are no points of attachment. The Berg Aukas Mine near Grootfontein in Namibia is a well known lead and zinc deposit that was developed during the 20th century. The ore bodies occur as pipe like breccia structures within dolomite of the Otavi Mountainland and contain minerals such as galena, sphalerite, and various vanadium bearing species. Mining operations focused mainly on lead, zinc, and vanadium rich minerals before the mine closed in the late 1970s. Berg Aukas later became famous among mineral collectors for rare and unusual minerals, including many vanadium minerals, making it one of the notable mineral localities in Namibia.

Product details

SpeciesDescloizite
SizeMiniature
Dimensions4.5 x 4.0 x 2.0 cm
Added on03/10/2026
LocalityNamibia, Otjozondjupa Region, Berg Aukas Mine
Current owner
Unknown Owner
Acquired
Oct 2026
Previous owners
DateCollectorAcquisition price
—Weinrich MineralsNot disclosed

Learn more

Descloizite
Mineral guide
Learn about Descloizite
lead-zinc vanadate with lustrous rosettes, black-to-brown tones, and warm translucence; top localities Otavi, Namibia and Ojuela, Mexico.
Descloizite
Regional guide
Descloizite from Berg Aukas Mine, Namibia
Berg Aukas descloizite is one of the great “species-defining” classics: the locality by which serious collectors judge descloizite. The best pieces have a sculptural, almost architectural presence—dark brown to nearly black spear-point crystals, glossy blades, jackstraw bundles, radiating rosettes, and sharply terminated clusters that can look metallic under a show lamp yet glow warm reddish brown along thinner edges. Many specimens sit in pleasing contrast on pale calcite, dolomite, smithsonite, or willemite-bearing matrix, giving the dark vanadate crystals the visual authority of black lacquer against limestone.
Locality guide
Berg Aukas Mine
Berg Aukas Mine, Namibia - a premier Otavi Mountainland locality famed for dark descloizite crystals, vanadates, and rich smithsonite, prized by collectors.