Descloizite - image 1
Descloizite - image 2

Descloizite

Unknown Owner
Berg Aukas is world-renowned for its extraordinary descloizite (zinc analogue of Mottramite) specimens, and this particular specimen represents the very best quality and crystal size for this most relevant locality. The piece shows one excellent spear-point bladed crystal. The dimension of this main crystal is absolutely outstanding - even for Berg Aukas. The luster of all crystals is superb and the assemble couldn´t be more aesthetic. I use the designation "masterpiece" very carefully, but this specimen is the very best piece I ever saw from the locality and "masterpeice" is the only labeling, which does justice to it. No significant damages to report.

Product details

Species
DescloiziteAbout Descloizite →
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions4.1 x 4.9 x 7.2 cm
Added on01/22/2025
Locality
Namibia, Otjozondjupa Region, Berg Aukas MineRegional guide →

Known provenance

DateCollectorAcquisition price
—Anton Watzl MineralsNot 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.