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Descloizite

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Berg Aukas (Berg Aukus), Grootfontein District, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia
© Rob Lavinsky

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Formula:
Pb(Zn,Cu)(VO
 
4
)(OH)
System:OrthorhombicColour:Brownish red, ...
Hardness:3 - 3½
Member of:Adelite-Descloizite Group
Name:
Named in 1854 by Augustin Alexis Damour in honor of Alfred Lewis Oliver Legrand Des Cloizeaux [October 17, 1817 Beauvais, Oise, France - May 6, 1897 Paris, France], Professor of Mineralogy, University of Paris, who first described the mineral.


Adelite-Descloizite Group. Descloizite-Mottramite Series. The zinc analogue of Mottramite, vanadate analogue of Arsendescloizite.

A secondary mineral often found in the oxidation zones of base metal deposits.

Classification of Descloizite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.27-20
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BH.40

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
H : With medium-sized and large cations, (OH,etc.):RO4 = 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:41.5.2.1

41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
5 : (AB)2(XO4)Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:21.3.10

21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
3 : Vanadates of Al, rare earths, Pb, V or Bi
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Type Occurrence of Descloizite

Type Locality:Sierra de Córdoba, Punilla Department, Córdoba, Argentina
Year of Discovery:1854
Geological Setting of type material:Pb, Zn, U, and V deposit.

Occurrences of Descloizite

Geological Setting:Secondary mineral in oxidized zone of vanadium bearing base metal deposits.

Physical Properties of Descloizite

Lustre:Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Brownish red, red-orange, reddish brown to blackish brown, nearly black
Comment:Crystals often exhibit zonal growth with varying colours.
Streak:Orange to brownish red
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Comment:Somewhat harder on external crystal faces.
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):6.2 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.202 g/cm3

Crystallography of Descloizite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Pnma {P21/n 21/m 21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 7.593Å, b = 6.057Å, c = 9.416Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.254 : 1 : 1.555
Unit Cell Volume:V 433.05 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Crystals equant to pyramidal {111}, prismatic [001], rarely tabular {100} or short prismatic [100]. Crystal faces are commonly uneven or rough, with frequent sub-parallel growth. Drusy crusts of intergrown crystals common; also stalactitic or massive with a coarse fibrous structure and mammillary or botryoidal surface. Massive granular at times, compact to friable.
Comment:Pnam
Crystal Atlas:
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Descloizite no.19 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Descloizite no.24 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

About Crystal Atlas

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The mindat.org Crystal Atlas allows you to view a selection of crystal drawings of real and idealised crystal forms for this mineral and, in certain cases, 3d rotating crystal objects. You need Java to see these. You can download Java for free - click here to download Java

The 3d models and java code are kindly provided by www.smorf.nl. You can control the movement of the models by holding down the left mouse-button over the 3d model and moving your mouse. Keyboard controls are:

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X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
5.12 (80)
4.25 (60)
3.23 (100)
2.90 (80)
2.69 (80)
2.62 (80)
2.30 (80)
1.652 (80)
Comments:ICDD 12-537; See also 41-1369.

Optical Data of Descloizite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 2.185 nβ = 2.265 nγ = 2.350
2V:Measured: 85° to 90°, Calculated: 88°
Birefringence:0.165
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.165

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Dispersion:strong r > v rarely r < v
Optical Extinction:XYZ = cba
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:Weak to strong:
X = Y = Canary yellow to greenish yellow
Z = Brownish yellow

Chemical Properties of Descloizite

Formula:
Pb(Zn,Cu)(VO
 
4
)(OH)
Essential elements:H, O, Pb, V, Zn
All elements listed in formula:Cu, H, O, Pb, V, Zn
Common Impurities:Cu

Relationship of Descloizite to other Species

Series:Forms a series with Mottramite (see here)
Member of:Adelite-Descloizite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Adelite
CaMg(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Arsendescloizite
PbZn(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Austinite
CaZn(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Čechite
Pb(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)(VO
 
4
)(OH)
Cobaltaustinite
CaCo(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Conichalcite
CaCu(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Duftite
PbCu(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Gabrielsonite
PbFe(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Gottlobite
CaMg(VO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Hermannroseite
CaCu(PO
 
4
)(OH)
Mottramite
PbCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
Nickelaustinite
Ca(Ni,Zn)(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
Pyrobelonite
PbMn
2+
 
(VO
 
4
)(OH)
Tangeite
CaCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
Common Associates:
WulfeniteVanadinitePyromorphiteMottramiteMimetite
Cerussite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
8.BH.05Thadeuite
Ca(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
2
8.BH.10Durangite
NaAl(AsO
 
4
)F
8.BH.10Isokite
CaMg(PO
 
4
)F
8.BH.10Lacroixite
NaAl(PO
 
4
)F
8.BH.10Maxwellite
NaFe
3+
 
(AsO
 
4
)F
8.BH.10Panasqueiraite
CaMg(PO
 
4
)(OH,F)
8.BH.10Tilasite
CaMg(AsO
 
4
)F
8.BH.15Drugmanite
Pb(Fe
3+
 
,Al)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.20Bjarebyite
(Ba,Sr)(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.20Cirrolite
Ca
 
3
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
 (?)
8.BH.20Kulanite
Ba(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
2
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.20Penikisite
Ba(Mg,Fe
2+
 
,Ca)
 
2
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.20Perloffite
Ba(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.20Johntomaite
BaFe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BH.25Bertossaite
(Li,Na)
 
2
(Ca,Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH,F)
 
4
8.BH.25Palermoite
(Li,Na)
 
2
(Sr,Ca)Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
4
8.BH.30Carminite
PbFe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.30Sewardite
CaFe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.35Adelite
CaMg(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Arsendescloizite
PbZn(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Austinite
CaZn(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Cobaltaustinite
CaCo(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Conichalcite
CaCu(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Duftite
PbCu(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Gabrielsonite
PbFe(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Nickelaustinite
Ca(Ni,Zn)(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Tangeite
CaCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Gottlobite
CaMg(VO
 
4
,AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.35Hermannroseite
CaCu(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.40Čechite
Pb(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.40Mottramite
PbCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.40Pyrobelonite
PbMn
2+
 
(VO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BH.45Bayldonite
PbCu
 
3
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.45Vésigniéite
BaCu
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.50Paganoite
NiBi(AsO
 
4
)O
8.BH.55Jagowerite
BaAl
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BH.55Carlgieseckeite-(Nd)
NaNdCa
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
F
8.BH.60Attakolite
(Ca,Sr)Mn(Al,Fe)
 
4
(HPO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)
 
3
(SiO
 
4
,PO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
8.BH.65Leningradite
PbCu
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
21.3.1Steigerite
Al(VO
 
4
) · 3H
 
2
O
21.3.2Alvanite
(Zn,Ni)Al
 
4
(V
5+
 
O
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
12
 · 2H
 
2
O
21.3.3Metaschoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
) · 6H
 
2
O
21.3.4Schoderite
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(VO
 
4
) · 8H
 
2
O
21.3.5Satpaevite
Al
 
12
V
4+
2
V
5+
6
O
 
37
 · 30H
 
2
O
21.3.6Vanalite
NaAl
 
8
V
 
10
O
 
38
 · 30H
 
2
O
21.3.7Wakefieldite-(Ce)
Ce(VO
 
4
)
21.3.7Wakefieldite-(Y)
Y(VO
 
4
)
21.3.8Chervetite
Pb
 
2
(V
 
2
O
 
7
)
21.3.9Mottramite
PbCu(VO
 
4
)(OH)
21.3.11Clinobisvanite
Bi(VO
 
4
)
21.3.11Dreyerite
Bi(VO
 
4
)
21.3.11Pucherite
Bi(VO
 
4
)
21.3.12Schumacherite
Bi
 
3
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
O(OH)
21.3.13Namibite
Cu(BiO)
 
2
(VO
 
4
)(OH)
21.3.14Pottsite
HPbBi(VO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
21.3.15Duhamelite
(Pb,Bi,Ca)Cu(VO
 
4
)(OH,O)

Other Names for Descloizite

Synonyms:
DescloizeauxiteEusynchiteRamiriteTritochorite
Other Languages:
Catalan:Discloizita
German:Descloizit
Descloizeauxit
Rhombischer Vanadit
Schaffnerit
Tritochorit
Italian:Descloizite
Russian:Деклуазит
Simplified Chinese:矾铅锌矿
Spanish:Descloizeauxita
Descloizita
La Ramarita
Varieties:
Cuprian DescloiziteDechenite

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent
Other Information:Readily soluble in acids.
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:Rarely an ore of vanadium.

References for Descloizite

Reference List:

- +
Bergemann (1850) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 80: 393 (as Dechenite - arsenatian variety).

von Kobell (1850) Journal für praktische Chemie, Leipzig: 50: 496 (as Aræoxene).

Damour (1854) Annales de chimie et de physique, Paris: 41: 72, 78.

Fischer and Nessler (1854) Ber. Verh. Nat. Ges. Freiburg: 1: 33 (as Eusynchite).

Tschermak (1861) Konigliche Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, Ber.: 44[2]: 157.

Schrauf (1862) Annalen der Physik, Halle, Leipzig: 116: 355.

Zippe (1861) Konigliche Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, Ber.: 44[1]: 197 (as Rhombischer Vanadit).

Frenzel (1880) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 3: 506 (as Tritochorit).

Frenzel (1881) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 4: 97 (as Tritochorit).

Vigener (1884) Berichte Niederrheinische Gesellschaft für Natur und Heilkunde, Bonn: 87 (as Schaffnerit).

Headden (1903) Proceedings of the Colorado Science Society: 7: 141.

Fresenius analysis in: Guild (1911) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 49: 322.

Goldschmidt, V. (1916) Atlas der Krystallformen. 9 volumes, atlas, and text: vol. 3: 32.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 67, 64.

Diefenbach (1930) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 74: 155.

Strunz (1930) Naturwissenschaften: 27: 423.

Dittler and Hueber (1931) Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen, Vienna: 41: 173.

Hintze, Carl (1931) Handbuch der Mineralogie. Berlin and Leipzig. 6 volumes: 1 [4A]: 666.

Bannister (1933) Mineralogical Magazine: 23: 376.

Meixner (1937) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart: I: 79.

Hägele (1939) Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Beil.-Bd.: 75: 101.

Strunz (1939) Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, Mineralogie und Petrographie, Leipzig: 101: 496.

Schwellnus (1946) Transactions of the Geological Society of South Africa: 48: 49.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged, 1124 pp.: 811-815.

Acta Crystallographica: B35: 717-720.

Canadian Mineralogist (1970): 8: 23-39.

Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., and Nichols, M.C. (2000) Handbook of Mineralogy, Volume IV. Arsenates, Phosphates, Vanadates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, AZ, 680pp.: 138.

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