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 4.5-5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pistachio-green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy.
Often confused with
Namibite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Namibite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Namibite leaves pistachio-green, Volborthite leaves light green; luster reads adamantine on Namibite and vitreous, oily, resinous, waxy, pearly on the cleavage on Volborthite.
How to tell apart: Namibite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3-3.5); streak differs, so Namibite leaves pistachio-green, Descloizite leaves orange to brownish red; luster reads adamantine on Namibite and greasy 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
- Cu(BiO)₂VO₄(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 6.86 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pistachio-green
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy
- Cleavage
- On {001}, good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A secondary mineral in bismuth-bearing hydrothermal polymetallic mineral deposits and granite pegmatites
Where rockhounds find namibite
Classic worldwide localities
- Stewart and White Queen mines, Pala district, San Diego Co., in the Lodi #4 mine, Spring Creek district, Plumas Co., and at Amboy, San Bernardino Co., California, USA
- Mica Lode mine, Eight Mile Park, Fremont Co., Colorado, USA
- Evans Lou quarry, near Wakefield Lake Quebec, Canada
- Morass Creek, north of Benambra, Victoria, and at the Iron Monarch quarry, Iron Knob, South Australia
- Eliáš mine, Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
- Hechtsberg quarry, near Hausach, Black Forest, and in the Wolfgang Maassen mine, Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A secondary mineral in bismuth-bearing hydrothermal polymetallic mineral deposits and granite pegmatites. If you start seeing bismuth, bismutite, wittichenite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy. 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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