FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[GneissWare]

I have a sharp crystal of Crocidolite labeled as from Qriqueland, South Africa (from a collection circa 1970s or earlier), but can't find this name using google, except that I have found a reference called "The first annexation of the Transvaal" which states in part:

"Beginniiig horn the pdnt whexe the north-eflurtem boondary Ime ol QriquelAnd West meete the Vael BiTer, ap the coarse cxf the Yaal Biver to the point of junction with it of the Klip Biyer ; thence op the ooone of the Klip Biver to the point of junction with it of the gtreem called Gansvlei, thence up the Qeasvlei stream to its sonice m the Drakensbevg..."

The english is obviously garbled, but there are some other old locality names which might make clear what this area is currently called.

Any ideas from folks familiar with South Africa?

I will post a photo in the next day of so.

[alfredo]

It's spelled "Griqualand" in english, I believe.

[Duncan Miller]

Most of the the now defunct asbestos mines are in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa, around the town of Koegas; although some asbestos was mined in North-West Province too. "Griqualand West" is in the Northern Cape Province. A Google search for "griqualand west" will show you a map.

[Debbie Woolf]

I'll just add that the crocidolite occurs in a belt that extends from Promfret to Prieska, a distance of 300 km, and that several mines were worked in the central and northern parts of this belt.

[GneissWare]

Very helpful!! Thanks!
I'll get a photo posted soon -- the specimen is a sharply terminated, slightly fuzzy piece.