Descloizite - image 1

Descloizite

Unknown Owner
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A really interestingly shaped descloizite specimen from the famous Berg Aukas Mine of Namibia. Sharp, lustrous, tetragonal, black descloizite crystals to 8 mm surround a vug coated with sparkly, micro descloizite crystals. Trivial damage overall. Ex Ed Ruggiero Collection, who purchase this showy piece from Chris Wright in May, 1975. 6.8 x 6.3 x 5.8 cm

Product details

SpeciesDescloizite
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions6.8 x 6.3 x 5.8 cm
Added on10/23/2024
LocalityNamibia, Otjozondjupa Region, Berg Aukas Mine

Known provenance

DateCollectorAcquisition price
08/2024Unknown OwnerNot disclosed
—The ArkenstoneNot disclosed

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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.