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. Descloizite leaves a orange to brownish-red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Descloizite typically shows a greasy to adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brown, orange, black, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: short prismatic to pyramidal crystals, often in druzy crusts or botryoidal aggregates.
Often confused with
Descloizite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red, Vanadinite leaves white; luster reads greasy to adamantine on Descloizite and resinous on Vanadinite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red, Mimetite leaves white; luster reads greasy to adamantine on Descloizite and adamantine on Mimetite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red, Wulfenite leaves white; luster reads greasy to adamantine on Descloizite and resinous 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
- 5.9-6.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- Orange to Brownish-red
- Luster
- Greasy to Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Short Prismatic to Pyramidal Crystals, Often in Druzy Crusts or Botryoidal Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Vanadium
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Lead-zinc Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-150 for thumbnails and cabinet specimens depending on crystal quality and locality
Where rockhounds find descloizite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Berg Aukas, Namibia
- Broken Hill, Zambia
- Bisbee, Arizona, USA
- Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of lead-zinc deposits country — that is the host setting where descloizite typically forms. If you start seeing vanadinite, wulfenite, cerussite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a short prismatic to pyramidal crystals, often in druzy crusts or botryoidal aggregates habit, so 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
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Find descloizite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
