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Namibite

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Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA
© Brent Thorne

Show Namibite Photos (16)
Formula:
Cu(BiO)
 
2
(VO
 
4
)(OH)
System:TriclinicColour:Dark green
Hardness:4½ - 5


A dark green secondary Cu-Bi-vanadate.

Classification of Namibite

IMA status:Approved 1981
Strunz 8th edition ID:7/B.28-70
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:8.BB.50

8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
Dana 8th edition ID:38.5.9.1

38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
Hey's CIM Ref.:21.3.13

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 Namibite

Type Locality:Khorixas, Damaraland District, Kunene Region, Namibia
Year of Discovery:1981

Physical Properties of Namibite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Dark green
Hardness (Mohs):4½ - 5

Crystallography of Namibite

Crystal System:Triclinic
Class (H-M):1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:P1

Optical Data of Namibite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 2.100
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 2.100

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r < v extreme

Chemical Properties of Namibite

Formula:
Cu(BiO)
 
2
(VO
 
4
)(OH)
Essential elements:Bi, Cu, O, V
All elements listed in formula:Bi, Cu, H, O, V

Relationship of Namibite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
8.BB.05Amblygonite
(Li,Na)Al[(F,OH)|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.05Montebrasite
LiAl[(OH,F)|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.05Tavorite
LiFe
3+
 
[OH|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.10Triplite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[(F,OH)|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.10Zwieselite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
[F|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.10IMA2004-009
Mg
 
2
[PO
 
4
](OH)
8.BB.15Sarkinite
Mn
2+
2
[OH|AsO
 
4
]
8.BB.15Triploidite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.15Wagnerite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
[F|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.15Wolfeite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.15Stanĕkite
Fe
3+
 
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)[O|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.15Joosteite
Mn
2+
 
(Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)[PO
 
4
]O
8.BB.20Holtedahlite
Mg
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.20Satterlyite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
[(OH,O)|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.25Althausite
Mg
 
2
[(OH,F)|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.30Adamite
Zn
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.30Eveite
Mn
2+
2
[OH|AsO
 
4
]
8.BB.30Libethenite
Cu
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.30Olivenite
Cu
 
2
[OH|AsO
 
4
]
8.BB.30Zincolibethenite
CuZnPO
 
4
OH
8.BB.30Zincolivenite
CuZn(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.35Paradamite
Zn
 
2
[OH|AsO
 
4
]
8.BB.35Tarbuttite
Zn
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
8.BB.40Barbosalite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BB.40Hentschelite
CuFe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BB.40Lazulite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BB.40Scorzalite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)Al
 
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BB.40Wilhelmkleinite
ZnFe
3+
2
[OH|AsO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BB.45Trolleite
Al
 
4
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
3
8.BB.55Phosphoellenbergerite
Mg
 
14
[(OH)
 
6
|(HPO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
2
|(PO
 
4
)
 
6
]
8.BB.60Urusovite
Cu[AlAsO
 
5
]
8.BB.65Theoparacelsite
Cu
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|As
 
2
O
 
7
]
8.BB.70Turanite
Cu
 
5
[(OH)
 
2
|VO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BB.75Stoiberite
Cu
 
5
[O
 
2
|(VO
 
4
)
 
2
]
8.BB.80Fingerite
Cu
 
11
[O
 
2
|(VO
 
4
)
 
6
]
8.BB.85Averievite
Cu
 
6
[O
 
2
|Cl
 
2
|(VO
 
4
)
 
2
]
8.BB.90Lipscombite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Fe
3+
2
[OH|PO
 
4
]
 
2
8.BB.90Richellite
Ca
 
3
Fe
3+
10
[(OH,F)
 
3
|(PO
 
4
)
 
2
]
 
4
 · nH
 
2
O (not confirmed)
8.BB.90Zinclipscombite
ZnFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
21.3.1Steigerite
AlVO
 
4
·3H
 
2
O
21.3.2Alvanite
(Zn,Ni)Al
 
4
[(OH)
 
12
|V
 
2
O
 
6
] · 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
 
2
V
 
6
O
 
37
·30H
 
2
O
21.3.6Vanalite
NaAl
 
8
V
 
10
O
 
38
·30H
 
2
O
21.3.7Wakefieldite-(Ce)
(Ce,Pb)VO
 
4
21.3.7Wakefieldite-(Y)
YVO
 
4
21.3.8Chervetite
Pb
 
2
[V
 
2
O
 
7
]
21.3.9Mottramite
Pb(Cu,Zn)[OH|VO
 
4
]
21.3.10Descloizite
Pb(Zn,Cu)[OH|VO
 
4
]
21.3.11Clinobisvanite
BiVO
 
4
21.3.11Dreyerite
BiVO
 
4
21.3.11Pucherite
BiVO
 
4
21.3.12Schumacherite
Bi
 
3
[O|OH|(VO
 
4
)
 
2
]
21.3.14Pottsite
HPbBi(VO
 
4
)
 
2
·2H
 
2
O
21.3.15Duhamelite
(Pb,Bi,Ca)Cu[(OH,O)|VO
 
4
]

Other Names for Namibite

Synonyms:
IMA1981-024
German names:
Namibit
Russian names:
Намибит
Spanish names:
Namibita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Namibite

Reference List:von Knorring, O. and Sahama, T. G. (1981): Namibite, a new copper-bismuth-vanadium mineral from Namibia. Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen: 61: 7-12.

American Mineralogist (1982): 67: 857.

Mrázek, Z., Veselovsky, F., Hlousek, J., Moravcova, H., and Ondrus, P. (1994): Redefinition of namibite, Cu(BiO)2VO4OH. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Monatshefte (1994): 481-488.

American Mineralogist (1995): 80: 1076-1077.

Dunning, G. E. and Cooper, J. F., Jr. (1998): Namibite: a summary of world occurrences. Mineralogical Record: 29: 163-166.

Kolitsch, U., and G. Giester (2000): The crystal structure of namibite, Cu(BiO)2VO4(OH), and revision of its symmetry. American Mineralogist: 85: 1298-1301.

Internet Links for Namibite

Search Engines:
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    • External Links:
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  • Look for Namibite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Namibite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Search for Namibite in the Natural History Museum (London) online catalogue
  • Namibite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Search for Namibite at Thames Valley Minerals
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Find Namibite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
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  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
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    Localities for Namibite

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • South Australia
      • Eyre peninsula
        • Middleback Range
          • Iron Knob
    		Pring, A., Francis, G. & Birch, W. D. (1992): Nissonite, namibite, and other additions to the mineral suite from Iron Monarch, South Australia. Australian Mineral. 6, 31-39; [MinRec 29:164]
    • Victoria
      • Benambra
    		Dunning, G.E. & Cooper, J.F. (1998): Namibite. A summary of World Occurrences. Mineralogical Record 29, 163-166
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Papineau Co.
        • Portland Township
          • St-Pierre-de-Wakefield
    		Mineralogical Record: 29: 164.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
            • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal)
    		[MinRecord 29:163-166]
    Lapis 2002(7/8), 46
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Hausach
    		Blaß, G. & Graf, H. W. (1995): Namibit, ein Neufund aus dem Schwarzwald. Mineralien-Welt, 6 (6), 20-22 ; Lapis 23(4), 13-17 (1998)
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    		Kolitsch, U. & Götzinger, M. (2000): Einige Neufunde aus der Grube Clara im mittleren Schwarzwald: Eulytin, Namibit, Volborthit, Gearksutit, Spertiniit, Monazit-(La), Protasit, Sainfeldit, Cyanotrichit und Vauquelinit. Erzgräber 14, 33-47. (in German); KOLITSCH, U., GRÖBNER, J. BLASS, G., GRAF, H.-W. & PRING, A. (2005): Neufunde aus der Grube Clara im mittleren Schwarzwald (II): Dreyerit, Gasparit-(Ce), Klinobisvanit, Kobaltkoritnigit, Metatyuyamunit, Roscoelith, Sengierit, Vésigniéit und Wakefieldit. Lapis 30 (9), 35-39; 58.
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Schneeberg District
          • Wolfgang Maaßen Mine field
    		[MinRecord 29:164]
    • Thuringia
      • Vogtland
        • Hirschberg
          • Ullersreuth
    		T. Witzke et al.: Lapis 2001(12), 13-27
    Mexico
     
    • Sonora
      • Mun. de Navojoa
    		Brent Thorne collection.
    Namibia
     
    • Kunene Region
      • Damaraland District
    		Knorring, O. & Sahama, T.G. (1981): Namibite, a new copper-bismuth-vanadium mineral from Namibia. Schweizer Mineralogische Petrographische Mitteilungen 61, 7-12; Mr. Harald Folvik
          • Copper Valley
    		Niedermayr, G.: Mesopotamia 504 - die Typlokalität des Namibit. In: S. Jahn, O. Medenbach, G. Niedermayr, G. Schneider: Namibia - Zauberwelt edler Steine und Kristalle (2nd Edition, in German)
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cumbria
        • North and Western Region (Cumberland)
          • Southern Fells
            • Waberthwaite
    		[MinRecord 29:164]; Neall, T., Young, B., Hyslop, E. K., and Fakes, R. D. (1993): Namibite from Buckbarrow Beck, Cumbria - the first british occurrence. Miner. Mag., 57, 754-755. ; BMS Collection
    USA
     
    • Arizona
        • Bradshaw Mts (Bradshaw Range)
          • Castle Creek District
    		Joe Ruiz, Mammoth, AZ, USA
    Grant, Raymond W., Bideaux, R.A., and Williams, S.A. (2006) Minerals Added to the Arizona List 1995-2005: 6. Mr. Joe Ruiz, Mammoth, AZ, personal communication to John Ebner, Ronald Deblois, Eckhard Stuart and C. Lemanski, Jr. (2008).
    • California
      • Plumas Co.
        • Last Chance District
          • Spring Creek area
    		[MinRecord 29:165]
      • San Diego Co.
    		Foord, E. E. (1996): Clinobisvanite, eulytite, and namibite from the Pala pegmatite district, San Diego Co., California, USA. Miner. Mag. 60, 387.
          • Chief Mountain
    		Mineralogical Record (2002): 33(5): 388.
          • Hiriart Mountain (Heriart; Heriot; Hiriat Hill)
    		[MinRecord 29:164]
          • Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen)
    		[MinRecord 29:164]
    • Colorado
      • Fremont Co.
        • Eight Mile Park pegmatite District
    		[MinRec 29:165]
    • Nevada
      • Clark Co.
        • Goodsprings District
    		Self collected by Brent Thorne. SEM EDAX verified by Robert Housley
    Mineral and/or Locality
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