Descloizite

$1,500.00

$40.00 shipping
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There is no disputing that the world's finest Descloizite crystals have come from Berg Aukas in the Grootfontein District, Namibia. Discovered in 1913, the deposit was worked initially from 1920 until 1928 when they reached the groundwater level. Full scale mining did not commence until 1950, continuing until the mine closed in 1978. Most of the very best crystallized Descloizite specimens came out during the 1950s to 1970s. Normally, Descloizite - lead zinc vanadate - is an extremely rare mineral species, typically found only in microcrystals, but Berg Aukus and a few neighbouring mines give the false impression that it is a common species - it certainly is not. However, in Grootfontein District, and in particular at Berg Aukas, Descloizite occurs in larger crystals in dense pure masses. These are usually dark cola-brown in colour and bladed, but can be modified in many shapes. This cabinet specimen features wonderful fan-like branching aggregates and shows how good the quality gets. The uppermost crystals along the top of the coralline branching sprays are in extremely good condition. Lower down some of the branches are snapped-off at their base but these are not distracting from the overall quality and aesthetics of this very fine Descloizite.