Descloizite (fine crystals)

Item Description

The renowned Berg Aukus Mine in Namibia produced what are inarguably the most extraordinary Descloizite specimens ever found. These impressive, world-class pieces not only have set the standard of excellence for this zinc analogue of Mottramite, but they have largely disappeared from the market, especially with crystals like this specimen. This is a gorgeous small cabinet display specimen filled with excellent, sharp, well-formed semi-metallic brown color crystals sitting on minor matrix. The crystals are blocky prisms, not the typical habit "arrowhead"-style habit that we're used to seeing from the locality. The largest crystal measures 1.1 cm long. A piece like this with such excellent and dramatic crystallization is not only rare, but highly desirable among knowledgeable collectors. The piece is very aesthetic and largely damage free as far as I can see with the naked eye. I can say with certainty that this is without a doubt one of the better examples of this particular style that we've had to offer in the auctions, and if you have always wanted one of these impressive pieces, don't miss out on this one.
From the collection of Robert (Bob) Reynolds who passed in August of 2020. Bob was a well-known fossil and mineral expert and former Curator of Earth Sciences at the San Bernardino County Museum in California. The rare phyllomanganate-chromate species Reynoldsite was named in his honor in 2011.