Descloizite - image 1

Descloizite

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An excellent thumbnail of spear-point bladed crystals of descloizite from what is arguably the best locality for the species in the world. The translucent to gemmy crystals have stepped faces and sharp, beveled edges with a shiny metallic luster. It displays very well with a backlight and glows a deep amber color. From the well-known Namibian mineral collection of Shields and Frances Flynn, who self-published the book, Minerals of Namibia - From the Collection of Shields and Frances Flynn in 2018.

Product details

SpeciesDescloizite
SizeMiniature
Dimensions2.9 x 2.6 x 1.8 cm
Added on10/23/2024
LocalityNamibia, Otjozondjupa Region, Berg Aukas Mine

Known provenance

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