Arsendescloizite (w. cerussite and quartz)

TSNB466
Specimen
Queit, C.S.
Exhibit 1. Arsendescloizite (w. cerussite and quartz); 67 mm.
Exhibit 1. Arsendescloizite (w. cerussite and quartz); 67 mm.
Image Credit: Bruce Cairncross
Exhibit 2. 32 mm field of view.
Exhibit 2. 32 mm field of view.
Image Credit: Bruce Cairncross
Exhibit 3. 30 mm field of view.
Exhibit 3. 30 mm field of view.
Image Credit: Bruce Cairncross
Exhibit 4. 34 mm field of view.
Exhibit 4. 34 mm field of view.
Image Credit: Bruce Cairncross
Exhibit 3. XRD verification of arsendescloizite by Paul Carr, University of Wollongong, Australia; August 2024.
Exhibit 3. XRD verification of arsendescloizite by Paul Carr, University of Wollongong, Australia; August 2024.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
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Specimen Title

Arsendescloizite (w. cerussite and quartz)

Associated Minerals

cerussite; quartz

Principal Mineral

Arsendescloizite

Size

Cabinet; 67mm

Location in the Mine

Second oxidation zone (?)

Provenance

Queit, C.S.

Collection

Cairncross, B.; 3991

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB466

Description

A matrix of partly oxidised, vuggy massive sulphide, with cavities hosting sparse crystals of colourless cerussite (to circa 10 mm), overgrown by aggregates of intergrown tabular crystals of pale olive-green arsendescloizite (exhibits 2 and 3). A few reddish-tinted crystals of iron-stained quartz are also present (Exhibit 4), and are probably of hypogene origin. The arsendescloizite has been XRD verified (Exhibit 5).

The specimen was puchased from South Africa dealer Clive Queit.

The location in the mine is not recorded, but arsendescloizite is a very rare mineral at Tsumeb and has only been reported from the second oxidation zone.