Descloizite - image 1

Descloizite

Unknown Owner
Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.
Sign in to contribute
For a mineral so rare elsewhere, the sheer breathtaking spectacular form of the crystallized specimens from Berg Aukas in the Grootfontein District, Namibia is often difficult to comprehend. But, how good is the ultimate crystallized Descloizite? Well, take a look at this magnificent 'hedgehog' of Descloizite. Large cabinet in size, this stunning display specimen is made up of fan-like clusters of bladed dark cola brown greasy to resinous Descloizite crystals. It is certainly a magnificent demonstration of how richly crystallized specimens can be, of pure Descloizite, but also how well preserved this particular specimen is, with no obvious damage, which is a rare exception to most specimens we see from this historic find - the mine having closed in 1978.

Product details

SpeciesDescloizite
SizeLarge Cabinet
Dimensions15.5 x 15.0 x 9.0 cm
Added on04/04/2026
LocalityNamibia, Otjozondjupa Region, Berg Aukas Mine

Known provenance

DateCollectorAcquisition price
07/2026Unknown Owner$15,000.00
—Crystal ClassicsNot 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.