Descloizite

specimen number:
2072082

location:
Berg Aukas, Grootfontein, Namibia

description:
Lustrous crystals of descloizite across both sides of this matrix. Some damage present, overall in good condition. Previous label comes from the collection of Wolfgang Henkel.

The Berg Aukas Mine is located in the Otavi Mountainland of northern Namibia, situated near the town of Grootfontein. Geologically, the deposit is a world-class Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) lead-zinc-vanadium system hosted within the Neoproterozoic carbonates of the Otavi Group. The ore bodies formed as metal-rich hydrothermal fluids migrated through complex fault zones and karst-like breccias in the surrounding dolomite. Historically, the mine was a major producer of vanadium and zinc from its discovery in the early 20th century until its closure in 1978. Berg Aukas is internationally famous among mineralogists for producing the finest descloizite specimens ever discovered. This lead-zinc vanadate mineral typically occurs as sharp, spear-shaped or tabular crystals with a distinct metallic to sub-metallic luster. The color ranges from a deep, saturated brownish-black to a rich forest green, often appearing almost black until backlit. These crystals frequently form aesthetic, radiating clusters or thick druse layers on a contrasting light-colored matrix. While the mine is no longer in industrial operation, the specimens recovered during its peak years remain the global benchmark for the species due to their exceptional size, sharpness, and crystal perfection.

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