Minerals from Namibia

Specimens from Namibia prior to 1968 may be recorded as ‘South-West Africa’, ‘German South West Africa’, or ‘Deutsch-Südwestafrika‘. Parts of South West Africa were administed by South Africa until 1990, so it is possible specimens may be labelled South Africa.

South Africa is recorded as the type locality for over a hundred minerals, most of which are relatively uncommon, and some are single locale minerals.

The country produces a range of fine mineral specimens, and has some exceptional locales which will be well known amongst collectors.

By far the best known locale in the country is Tsumeb Mine, in the Oshikoto region. Tsumeb mine alone provided nearly 350 species of minerals, including some exceptional specimens and some very rare minerals too – it was the type locality for 75. Malachite, Azurite, and Diopside from this locale are exceptional.

The Erongo Mountains are another well known locale, producing fine specimens of aquamarine, fluorite, hyalite opal, jeremejevite, schorl.

Brandberg Amethyst is a well known material – typically from the Goboboseb Mountains. Fine Amethyst from this locale often has quality colour zoning, and sometimes rather interesting inclusions, too.

The Okorusu Mine produced excellent specimens of Fluorite with sharp cubic crystals, and deep green, blue, pink and purple colours – in fact, almost all known colours of fluorite are found in this mine.

Otjua Mine in Karibib produced fine specimens of elbaite tourmaline with bright colours, often pink and green.

Further reading

• https://www.mindat.org/loc-10257.html

Namibia