Vanadinite with Descloizite

Help improve this record

No 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.

The Abenab mine lies due north of Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia, and about an equal distance, slightly to the south-east of Tsumeb. Like Tsumeb, the orebody forms a pipe-like karst structure, but at Abenab, this has been richly mineralised with Vanadinite and Descloizite. The Vanadinite forms some of the largest and most unique crystals for the species in the world and these are commonly coated, or even pseudomorphed, by the basic lead and zinc vanadate, Descloizite. Covering a thin 3 mm thick plate of Vanadinite is an intergrown cluster of superb Vanadinate crystals which form large hexagonal prismatic crystals with steep pyramidal terminations, very much like quartz in their morphology. However, in smaller crystals which have been broken, the internal burnt orange-red core of glassy Vanadinite is visible, enveloped in a sooty, chocolate-tan to greenish-beige coating of Descloizite. The largest Vanadinite crystal measures to nearly 4.3 cm tall, including its Descloizite coating. A wonderful and rare specimen of Vanadinite and Descloizite from the Abenab mine, an absolute must for any dedicated collector of either species. A choice specimen to say the least.