Namibite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Namibite
Formula:
Cu(BiO)2(VO4)(OH)
Colour:
Dark green
Hardness:
4½ - 5
Specific Gravity:
6.86
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Name:
Namibite is named after the Namib Desert, not Namibia per se.
A dark green secondary Cu-Bi-vanadate.
Structurally related to brendelite. Chemically resembles khorixasite.
Structurally related to brendelite. Chemically resembles khorixasite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2836
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2836:9
IMA Classification of Namibite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+(Bi3+O)2V5+O4(OH)
Approval year:
1981
First published:
1981
Classification of Namibite
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
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
B : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4 about 1:1
38.5.9.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
5 : Miscellaneous
21.3.16
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
3 : Vanadates of Al, rare earths, Pb, V or Bi
21 : Vanadates (and vanadates with arsenate or phosphate)
3 : Vanadates of Al, rare earths, Pb, V or Bi
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Nmb | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Namibite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Debbie Woolf | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Namibite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Dark green
Streak:
Pistachio-green
Hardness:
4½ - 5 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
{001}
{001}
Density:
6.86(3) g/cm3 (Measured) 6.91 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Namibite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 2.1
Surface Relief:
Unknown
Dispersion:
r < v extreme
Optical Extinction:
X ∧ a ≃ 12°.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
X = yellowish-green; Y = pistachio green; Z = dark green.
Comments:
Absorption: Z > Y > X.
Chemistry of Namibite
Mindat Formula:
Cu(BiO)2(VO4)(OH)
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Namibite
Crystal System:
Triclinic
Class (H-M):
1 - Pinacoidal
Space Group:
P1
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.210(1) Å, b = 7.398(1) Å, c = 7.471(1) Å
α = 90.10(1)°, β = 108.73(1)°, γ = 107.47(1)°
α = 90.10(1)°, β = 108.73(1)°, γ = 107.47(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.839 : 1 : 1.01
Unit Cell V:
308.22 ų
Morphology:
Thick tabular, prismatic. Rounded crystal aggregates.
Twinning:
Commonly twinned by interpenetration on (011). Often polysynthetic.
Comment:
Pseudo-monoclinic (pseudo C-centred monoclinic with a = 11.864(4), b = 3.696(4), c = 7.491(5), β = 109.42(6)°.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0002512 | Namibite | Kolitsch U, Giester G (2000) The crystal structure of namibite, Cu(BiO)2VO4(OH), and a revision of its symmetry American Mineralogist 85 1298-1301 |  | 2000 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.58 Å | (70) |
| 3.574 Å | (75) |
| 3.525 Å | (40) |
| 3.284 Å | (50) |
| 3.018 Å | (100) |
| 2.672 Å | (60) |
| 2.611 Å | (35) |
Comments:
Khorixas, Namibia. The data are from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47d : [Arsenates, antimonates, selenates, bismuthinates] | |
| 47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Namibite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Platy crystals up to 2 mm in cavities in drusy quartz veins .
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Leeds University, England.
University of Helsinki, Finland.
University of Helsinki, Finland.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Copper deposit.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Namibite
Other Language Names for Namibite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 31 photos of Namibite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 23 photos of Namibite associated with Beyerite | Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2 |
| 17 photos of Namibite associated with Eulytine | Bi4(SiO4)3 |
| 10 photos of Namibite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 7 photos of Namibite associated with 'Duhamelite' | (Pb,Bi,Ca)Cu(VO4)(OH,O) |
| 6 photos of Namibite associated with Khorixasite | (Bi0.67◻0.33)Cu(VO4)(OH) |
| 4 photos of Namibite associated with Hechtsbergite | Bi2(VO4)O(OH) |
| 4 photos of Namibite associated with Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
| 3 photos of Namibite associated with Shattuckite | Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Namibite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BB. | Moabite | NiFe3+(PO4)O |
| 8.BB. | Tilasite | CaMg(AsO4)F |
| 8.BB. | Paulgrothite | Cu9Fe3+O4(PO4)4Cl3 |
| 8.BB. | Karlditmarite | Cu9O4(PO4)2(SO4)2 |
| 8.BB. | Milkovoite | Cu4O(PO4)(AsO4) |
| 8.BB.X | Arsenowagnerite | Mg2(AsO4)F |
| 8.BB.05 | Tavorite | LiFe3+(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.05 | Amblygonite | LiAl(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.05 | Montebrasite | LiAl(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.10 | Zwieselite | Fe2+2(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.10 | Triplite | Mn2+2(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.15 | 'Unnamed (Sb-analogue of Auriacusite)' | Fe3+Cu2+[(Sb,As)O4]O |
| 8.BB.15 | Joosteite | Mn2+(Mn3+,Fe3+)(PO4)O |
| 8.BB.15 | Hydroxylwagnerite | Mg2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Wagnerite | Mg2(PO4)F |
| 8.BB.15 | Stanĕkite | (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)Fe3+(PO4)O |
| 8.BB.15 | Triploidite | Mn2+2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Sarkinite | Mn2+2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.15 | Wolfeite | Fe2+2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.20 | Holtedahlite | Mg2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.20 | Satterlyite | (Fe2+,Mg,Fe)12(PO4)5(PO3OH)(OH,O)6 |
| 8.BB.25 | Althausite | Mg4(PO4)2(OH,O)(F,◻) |
| 8.BB.30 | Zincolivenite | CuZn(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Adamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Zincolibethenite | CuZn(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Eveite | Mn2+2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Olivenite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.30 | Auriacusite | Fe3+Cu2+(AsO4)O |
| 8.BB.35 | Paradamite | Zn2(AsO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.35 | Tarbuttite | Zn2(PO4)(OH) |
| 8.BB.40 | Barbosalite | Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Scorzalite | Fe2+Al2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Lazulite | MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Meizhouite | Fe2+V3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Hentschelite | CuFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.40 | Wilhelmkleinite | ZnFe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.45 | Dokuchaevite | Cu8O2(VO4)3Cl3 |
| 8.BB.45 | Trolleite | Al4(PO4)3(OH)3 |
| 8.BB.45 | Yaroshevskite | Cu9O2(VO4)4Cl2 |
| 8.BB.50 | Aleutite | [Cu5O2](AsO4)(VO4) · (Cu,K,Pb,Rb,Cs,)Cl |
| 8.BB.52a | Ericlaxmanite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BB.52b | Kozyrevskite | Cu4O(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BB.55 | Phosphoellenbergerite | (Mg,◻)2Mg12(PO4,PO3OH)6(PO3OH,CO3)2(OH)6 |
| 8.BB.55 | Popovite | Cu5O2(AsO4)2 |
| 8.BB.60 | Urusovite | CuAl(AsO4)O |
| 8.BB.65 | Theoparacelsite | Cu3(As2O7)(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.70 | Turanite | Cu5(VO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BB.75 | Stoiberite | Cu5(VO4)2O2 |
| 8.BB.80 | Fingerite | Cu11(VO4)6O2 |
| 8.BB.85 | Averievite | Cu6(VO4)2O2Cl2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Richellite | CaFe3+2(PO4)2(OH,F)2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Lipscombite | Fe2+Fe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
| 8.BB.90 | Zinclipscombite | ZnFe3+2(PO4)2(OH)2 |
Fluorescence of Namibite
None observed.
Other Information
IR Spectrum:
The infra-red spectrum does not show H2O or OH.
Notes:
Soluble in cold dilute acids.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Namibite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2836.html
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References for Namibite
Reference List:
Fleischer, Michael; Chao, George Y.; Mandarino, Joseph A. (1982) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 67 (7-8). p.854-860. p.857
Foord, Eugene E. (1996) Clinobisvanite, eulytite, and namibite from the pala pegmatite district, San Diego Co., California, USA. Mineralogical Magazine, 60 (399) 387-388 doi:10.1180/minmag.1996.060.399.14
Kolitsch, Uwe, Giester, Gerald (2000) The crystal structure of namibite, Cu(BiO)2VO4(OH), and revision of its symmetry. American Mineralogist, 85 (9) 1298-1301 doi:10.2138/am-2000-8-923
Frost, Ray L., Henry, Dermot A., Weier, Matt L., Martens, Wayde (2006) Raman spectroscopy of three polymorphs of BiVO4: clinobisvanite, dreyerite and pucherite, with comparisons to (VO4)3-bearing minerals: namibite, pottsite and schumacherite. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 37 (7). 722-732 doi:10.1002/jrs.1499
Localities for Namibite
Showing 32 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Pring et al. (1992) +1 other reference |
| Dunning et al. (1998) +2 other references |
Canada | |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
Czech Republic | |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
| Roman Gramblička collection |
| MALÍKOVÁ R et al. (2020) | |
Germany | |
| Blaß et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| 58. +2 other references |
| Schwarzmeier et al. (2015) +2 other references |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Witzke et al. (2001) |
Japan | |
| Uehara et al. (2013) |
Mexico | |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
Namibia (TL) | |
| von Knorring et al. (1981) +2 other references |
| Niedermayr et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
Poland | |
| Kozłowski et al. (2016) |
| Kozłowski et al. (2018) +1 other reference |
Spain | |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
UK | |
| BMS Collection +2 other references |
USA | |
| Raman analyzed at the University of ... |
| Joe Ruiz +1 other reference |
| Grant et al. (2005) | |
| Dunning et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| EDS analyzed by Bob Housley. |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Foord (1996) |
| Fisher (2002) |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Mineralogical Magazine (1996) +1 other reference |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Self collected by Brent Thorne. SEM ... |
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Hechtsberg quarry, Hausach, Hausach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany