Namibite is a rare copper bismuth vanadate mineral typically found as small, dark green, tabular crystals or crusts. It is most famous for its occurrence in the oxidized zones of ore deposits in Namibia, where it often forms alongside other secondary vanadate minerals.
Is this namibite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch namibite with a known reference. Namibite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Namibite leaves a pale green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Namibite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, brownish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Namibite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Namibite leaves pale green, Volborthite leaves yellowish-green; luster reads adamantine on Namibite and vitreous on Volborthite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Namibite leaves pale green, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish-red; luster reads adamantine on Namibite and greasy to adamantine on Descloizite.
Often found alongside namibite
Minerals reported to co-occur with namibite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuBi₂(VO₄)O₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 5.38 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale Green
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300+ per specimen depending on size and quality
Where rockhounds find namibite
Classic worldwide localities
- Namibia (Usakos District)
- DR Congo
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of hydrothermal ore deposits country — that is the host setting where namibite typically forms. If you start seeing descloizite, mottramite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find namibite on the map
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