Descloizite is a vibrant, lead-zinc vanadate mineral prized by collectors for its rich red to brown colors and distinct crystal habits. It is frequently found in the oxidation zones of lead-zinc ore deposits, often appearing as sparkling crusts or sharp, blade-like crystals.
Is this descloizite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch descloizite with a known reference. Descloizite sits at Mohs 3-3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: orange to brownish red.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: greasy.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark brownish black, dark reddish brown, orange red, reddish brown, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: encrustations, plumose, tabular.
Often confused with
Descloizite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Descloizite leaves orange to brownish red, Vanadinite leaves white to pale red or pale yellow; luster reads greasy on Descloizite and subresinous to subadamantine on Vanadinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Descloizite leaves orange to brownish red, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads greasy on Descloizite and resinous to subadamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Descloizite leaves orange to brownish red, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads greasy on Descloizite and resinous, subadamantine to adamantine on Wulfenite.
Often found alongside descloizite
Minerals reported to co-occur with descloizite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- PbZn(VO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3-3.5
- Density
- 6.1-6.2 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Orange to brownish red
- Luster
- Greasy
- Transparency
- Transparent to nearly opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Encrustations, plumose, tabular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of vanadium
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of vanadium-bearing base metal deposits; rarely an ore of vanadium
Where rockhounds find descloizite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Mammoth-St. Anthony mine, Tiger, Pinal Co., and from Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
- Caballo Mountains district, Sierra Co., and several mines around Georgetown, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA
- Chalk Mountain mine, Churchill Co., Nevada, USA
- Los Lamentos and Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico
- An economic deposit at Berg Aukas, near Grootfontein, Namibia
- Otavi district, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of vanadium-bearing base metal deposits; rarely an ore of vanadium. If you start seeing mottramite, vanadinite, pyromorphite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations, plumose, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify descloizite?+
Where is descloizite found?+
Can I find descloizite in the United States?+
Is descloizite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like descloizite?+
What minerals are found with descloizite?+
What kind of rock does descloizite form in?+
What is descloizite used for?+
Find descloizite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
