Descloizite

specimen number:
2133211

location:
Berg Aukas, Grootfontein, Namibia

description:
Choice spears shaped semi lustrous crystal grouping of descloizite. In great condition all around, a fine thumbnail for the species.

The Berg Aukas mine, located near Grootfontein in northern Namibia, is world-famous for producing the finest known specimens of the lead-zinc-vanadate mineral descloizite. Geologically, the deposit is a Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) lead-zinc occurrence hosted within Neoproterozoic dolomite of the Otavi Group. The descloizite formed as a secondary mineral through the oxidation of primary sulfide ores, where vanadium-rich meteoric waters reacted with lead and zinc in solution-enlarged cavities and karst features. These crystals are typically dark brown to near-black with a high luster and complex, spear-like morphology. Historically, the mine began operations around 1920 and was a major producer of vanadium, germanium, and zinc for several decades. Industrial mining reached its peak under the South West Africa Company (SWACO) before the mine was closed in 1978 due to flooding and economic factors. Although there were brief attempts to reopen parts of the mine in the late 1980s, it remains closed today, while its historical specimens continue to be regarded as the global mineralogical standard for the species.

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