TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Descloizita

Descloizita is a mineral with formula (Pb,Zn)₂(VO₄)OH, in the Vanadatos group. This specimen comes from Mina Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja, Portugal and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.

Descloizita from Mina Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja, Portugal — Terrium

Description

Stalactitic structure coated by densely packed, well-defined bipyramidal microcrystals of descloizite with metallic lustre. Dark brown to black. Goethite base visible in places.

About Descloizita

Descloizite is a lead-zinc vanadate that crystallises in the orthorhombic system. It typically occurs in the oxidation zone of lead deposits, commonly associated with goethite and mottramite.

About the locality

Mina Preguiça is an old lead and vanadium mine where well-developed descloizite crystals formed on stalactitic goethite.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0064
Composition
(Pb,Zn)₂(VO₄)OH
Name
Descloizita
Group
Vanadatos
Category
Estélites
Matrix
Goethita
Associations
goethita
Mine
Mina Preguiça
District / Municipality
Sobral da Adiça
Province
Moura
Region
Beja
Country
Portugal
Size (cm)
5 x 1 x 1
Weight
6.5 g
Acquired
2025
Etymology
Named for the French chemist Alfred Des Cloizeaux (1817–1897), a pioneer of the optical study of minerals.
Quality
Buena
Value trend
Estable

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