Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Namibite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Big Photo

Hechtsberg quarry, Hausach, Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Namibite Photos (33)



Formula:
Cu(BiO)
 
2
(VO
 
4
)(OH)
System:TriclinicColour:Dark green
Hardness:4½ - 5
Name:
Named for the country of discovery.


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
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-2836.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Namibite

Type Locality:Mesopotamia 504, Mesopotamia Copper Valley, Khorixas, Damaraland District, Kunene Region, Namibia
Year of Discovery:1981

Physical Properties of Namibite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Translucent
Colour:Dark green
Hardness (Mohs):4½ - 5
Cleavage:Perfect
{001}

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, H, 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
LiAl(PO
 
4
)F
8.BB.05Montebrasite
LiAl(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.05Tavorite
LiFe
3+
 
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.10Triplite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(F,OH)
8.BB.10Zwieselite
Fe
2+
 
Mn
2+
 
(PO
 
4
)F
8.BB.15Sarkinite
Mn
2+
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.15Triploidite
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.15Wagnerite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)F
8.BB.15Wolfeite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.15Stanĕkite
Fe
3+
 
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(PO
 
4
)O
8.BB.15Joosteite
Mn
2+
 
(Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)(PO
 
4
)O
8.BB.15Hydroxylwagnerite
Mg
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.20Holtedahlite
Mg
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.20Satterlyite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mg,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH,O)
8.BB.25Althausite
Mg
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH,F)
8.BB.30Adamite
Zn
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.30Eveite
Mn
2+
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.30Libethenite
Cu
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.30Olivenite
Cu
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.30Zincolibethenite
CuZn(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.30Zincolivenite
CuZn(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.30Auriacusite
Fe
3+
 
Cu
2+
 
(AsO
 
4
)O
8.BB.35Paradamite
Zn
 
2
(AsO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.35Tarbuttite
Zn
 
2
(PO
 
4
)(OH)
8.BB.40Barbosalite
Fe
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BB.40Hentschelite
CuFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BB.40Lazulite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BB.40Scorzalite
Fe
2+
 
Al
 
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BB.40Wilhelmkleinite
ZnFe
3+
2
(AsO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BB.45Trolleite
Al
 
4
(PO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
8.BB.55Phosphoellenbergerite
Mg
 
14
(PO
 
4
)
 
6
(HPO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
6
8.BB.60Urusovite
CuAl(AsO
 
4
)O
8.BB.65Theoparacelsite
Cu
 
3
(As
 
2
O
 
7
)(OH)
 
2
8.BB.70Turanite
Cu
 
5
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BB.75Stoiberite
Cu
 
5
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
2
8.BB.80Fingerite
Cu
 
11
(VO
 
4
)
 
6
O
 
2
8.BB.85Averievite
Cu
 
6
(VO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
2
Cl
 
2
8.BB.90Lipscombite
(Fe
2+
 
,Mn
2+
 
)Fe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
8.BB.90Richellite
CaFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH,F)
 
2
8.BB.90Zinclipscombite
ZnFe
3+
2
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
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)
21.3.10Descloizite
Pb(Zn,Cu)(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)
21.3.14Pottsite
HPbBi(VO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
21.3.15Duhamelite
(Pb,Bi,Ca)Cu(VO
 
4
)(OH,O)

Other Names for Namibite

Synonyms:
IMA1981-024
Other Languages:
German:Namibit
Russian:Намибит
Spanish:Namibita

Other Information

Other Information:Soluble in cold dilute 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.

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:
  • Look for Namibite on Google
  • Look for Namibite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Namibite on Webmineral
  • Look for Namibite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Namibite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Namibite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • By minerals from YourMineralCollection
  • Search for - Namibite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Pricedownminerals.com - Reverse Auctions and Shop
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Find Namibite on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • Fabre Minerals - search for Namibite specimens
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • Search for Namibite from all mineral dealers at minfind.com
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Namibite

    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.
    Hide Locality List
    (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
        • Morass Creek gorge
    		Dunning, G.E. & Cooper, J.F. (1998): Namibite. A summary of World Occurrences. Mineralogical Record 29, 163-166
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Outaouais
        • Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais RCM
          • Val-des-Monts
            • Lac Saint-Pierre (Wakefield Lake)
    		Mineralogical Record: 29: 164.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal) District
            • 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.
        • 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
        • Khorixas
          • Mesopotamia Copper Valley
    		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; Niedermayr, G.(2001): Mesopotamia 504 - die Typlokalität des Namibit. In: S. Jahn, O. Medenbach, G. Niedermayr, G. Schneider: Namibia - Zauberwelt edler Steine und Kristalle (1 Edition, in German), 97-99
      • Kaokoveld Plateau
    		Niedermayr, G., Schnaitmann, E. A., Brandstätter, F. (2008): Das Dioptas-Shattuckit-Vorkommen Kandesei im Kakokoland [sic]. Mineralien-Welt 19, 76-93 (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.
          • Pala
            • Chief Mountain
    		Mineralogical Record (2002): 33(5): 388.
            • Hiriart Mountain (Hariat Mtn; Harriot Mtn; Heriart Mtn; Heriot Mtn; Hiriat Hill)
    		[MinRecord 29:164]
            • Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala Mtn; Queen Mtn)
    		[MinRecord 29:164]; Mineralogical Magazine 1996 60 : 387-388
    • 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
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 9th Sep 2011 22:01:18
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds
    New Mineral Name: ZementitFrom Uwe Kolitsch, 10th Feb 2012 17:58:51