2.5" Vanadinite Crystal Cluster - Downieville Mine, Nevada

The Downeyville Mine

The Downeyville Mine in Nye County, Nevada, is a small but geologically intriguing locality best known among collectors for producing unusual and vividly colored secondary mineral specimens. Originally worked on a limited scale for lead and other base metals, the mine’s oxidized zones developed a rich suite of alteration minerals that now make it a sought-after source for distinctive display pieces. Its most notable material is yellow-green vanadinite—an uncommon color variant compared to the classic reds found elsewhere—often perched on contrasting red to orange matrix that enhances the specimen’s visual appeal. These crystals can show sharp hexagonal forms, bright luster, and a striking translucency unusual for vanadinite outside a few select localities.

Though production has never been large, the Downeyville Mine yields specimens that stand out for their rarity, color, and aesthetic contrast. Collectors also encounter associated minerals such as wulfenite, cerussite, and other oxidized lead-vanadate species, which can form attractive combinations and offer insight into the mine’s complex geochemical history. With limited availability and sporadic collecting opportunities, Downeyville material remains relatively scarce on the market, making well-formed specimens highly desirable additions to collections that emphasize unusual mineral chemistries and lesser-known American localities.