descloizite
descloizite crystal from Namibia
Detailed sheet
descloizite
Its name honors the French mineralogist Alfred Des Cloizeaux (1817-1897), it was discovered in 1854 in the Sierra de Cordoba in Argentina.
The best crystals are from Namibia.
The mottramite is a vanadate of lead and copper.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Pb,(Zn,Cu)[VO4](OH)
lead and zinc vanadate
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
red
Other colors
brown, yellow, black, orange
Color of streak
brown, orange
Luster
greasy, resinous
Hardness
3.0 to 3.5
Density
5.50 to 6.20
Cleavage
indistinct
Fracture
conchoidal
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
opaque, translucent, transparent
Refractive index
2.185 - 2.350
Double refraction
0.165
very strong biaxial negative
visible double refraction
Yes
Dispersion
++
Pleochroism
definite
Number of colors
2
greenish yellow, brown - yellow
Fluorescence
none
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
prismatic sometimes dipyramidal
crystals system
orthorhombic
OTHER INFORMATIONS
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
It is found in Namibia, Zambia, Uzbekistan (Almalyk Mine), England (Cornwall) in Slovenia, Germany (Black Forest), United States (Nevada, California, Pennsylvania).
use in jewelry
It is cut faceted when it is transparent and cherry red, this is a collection stone.
Other
Gems
Envie d’acquérir
une pierre certifiée ?
maximevoillotgems.com
Découvrez les pierres précieuses certifiées sélectionnées à la source par Maxime Voillot : saphirs, rubis, émeraudes, spinelles et pierres rares, disponibles à la vente sur maximevoillotgems.com.
Découvrir Maxime Voillot Gems