Mineral Species
Namuwite
Type Locality
No
Composition
(Zn,Cu2+)4(SO4)(OH)6·4H2O
Crystal System
Trigonal
Status at Tsumeb
Believed valid
Abundance
Extremely rare
Distribution
Undetermined
Paragenesis
Supergene
Entry Number
Species; TSNB253
General Notes
Namuwite was first reported from Tsumeb by Schnorrer-Köhler (1986) as minute sea-green crystals in cavities in galena. It is an inconspicuous mineral and very easily overlooked.
Two further associations are reported on Mindat: with devilline (Brent Thorne Collection) and with smithsonite and linarite (Vincent Bourgoin Collection). Unfortunately, there is no satisfactory analytical record to support the identification for either of these specimens.
Minute hexagonal plates of cadmium-bearing namuwite have been reported by Joy Désor based on Raman spectroscopy and EDS analysis (https://www.mindat.org/photo-1044520.html; accessed February 2023). Standardless EDS analysis indicated that this material contains 8.78 wt % Cd.
Associated Minerals
devilline; galena; linarite; smithsonite
