Descloizite - image 1
Descloizite - image 2

Descloizite

Unknown Owner
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Berg Aukas is world-renown for its extraordinary Descloizite specimens. These pieces are the standard of excellence for this zinc analogue of Mottramite. This small cabinet specimen hosts dozens of layered semi-spherical aggregates of highly lustrous, razor-sharp, chocolate brown Descloizite crystals on matrix. A nice illustrative, undamaged specimen of this classic material. Ex. Rob Smith Collection.

Product details

SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions6.5 x 5.3 x 3.2 cm
Added on10/23/2024

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.
    Descloizite - Berg Aukas Mine, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia