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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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 Posted: Oct 23, 2015 03:20 Post subject: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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The prime purpose of my recent trip to Namibia was to visit Heimo. We visited the old tin mine at Uis and also the Brandberg area. Please see link of his account of this visit. https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?t=4494
On the way to Swakopmund, the road passes through Karibib and Usakos and as these two small towns are the center of the Erongo area, I spent a few days here also. Here are a few photos and some of my observations.
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| On the road, somewhere past Springbok, Northern Cape, South Africa. |
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| A hornbill, photographed near Karibib at a roadside rest area. |
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| Hornbills scavaging for food from a drum at a rest area on the side of the road. On the menu was leftovers from pizza. |
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| A new faceting school in Karibib. The government is doing quite a bit to uplift the community. |
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| Teachers and pupils pose for a photo at the above school. |
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| One of the students showed me some of the machines. |
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| Computer room at the school. |
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| Henckert tourist centre, Karibib. This has been a wonderful place to visit through the years to view mineral specimens and mineral jewelry. |
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| Some friends in Karib. The owner of Henckert tourist centre in the middle. |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Oct 23, 2015 12:09 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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A few more photos.
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| Namdeb is a small, very poor, mining community, located a few kilometres from the Neu Scwaben tourmaline mine. The mine is about 25 km from Karibib, on a bad dusty road. Besides tourmaline of all colours, interesting smoky quartz is also found. |
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| This small fellow, busy eating, intrigued me and I got his mom to help pose for a photo at Namdeb. |
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| The road to Namdeb. Do not be fooled; this road is BAD. |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Oct 24, 2015 12:13 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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Here are a few more pictures; after that I would like to wrap up with some observations and show some specimens purchased from this trip.
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| A photo taken just after sunset. I slept a night out in the desert. Note Spitzkoppe in the background. |
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| A typical smallminer rock shop. These are usually close to the house and often with no one there. They still trust people but often to their own loss:-( |
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| Spitzkoppe in the distance. |
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| Another view of Spitzkoppe. |
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| There is a neat campsite at Spitzkoppe. I think that this site has it's eyes on the overseas market and is very pricy for locals. |
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| A panorama photo of Spitzkoppe. The latter is a reserve, i.a.w., no digging there. The area mined for topaz is roughly SW from Spitzkoppe. |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 02, 2015 11:36 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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Some comments and observations as well as a few mineral photos from this trip. Areas like Tsumeb, Brandberg, Erongo, Karibib, Kaokoland, and Spitzkoppe, get a lot of attention while there are a number of places with interesting specimens that are seldom heard of because they are off the beaten track. As Namibia is such a large country and with mostly dust roads (some very bad), many of the more remote places are seldom visited and not many of it's specimens are seen. I once met a geologist that showed me some really nice rubies and they came from somewhere in Namibia.
I am one of those that mostly visit the same old places and buy the same old minerals. Hopefully someday, I will have the time (and money) to travel through Namibia and visit all the lesser known places.
Whenever I visit Namibia, I notice that some species are in abundance and others are hard to come by. Last time we where there, the small 'alien' fluorite from Erongo were in abundance; this time round, there were none. Some years, good schorl are few and quite pricy. At the moment, schorl is abundant, fairly cheap and of very good quality.
Most of the top specimens of species are seldom seen at the local markets as they are quickly bought by local dealers that are always on the lookout and small miners take these better specimens to these dealers. I am not complaining, as I cannot afford those anyway :-)
| Mineral: | Quartz (variety smoky) |
| Locality: | | Neuschwaben Farm 73 (Neu Schwaben), Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia |  |
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| Dimensions: | 220 x 170 x 85 mm |
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| These beautiful quartzes, are a by product of the small miners search for tourmaline. |
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| Mineral: | Quartz (variety smoky) |
| Locality: | | Neuschwaben Farm 73 (Neu Schwaben), Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 160 x 120 x 102 mm |
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| Mineral: | Quartz (variety smoky) |
| Locality: | | Neuschwaben Farm 73 (Neu Schwaben), Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 170 x 140 x 95 mm |
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| Mineral: | Quartz (variety smoky) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 150 x 95 x 90 mm |
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| Mineral: | Quartz (variety smoky) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 150 x 95 x 90 mm |
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| Mineral: | Schorl |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 90 x 62 x 22 mm |
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39112 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
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| Posted: Nov 02, 2015 16:25 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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Hi Pierre, thank you for sharing your Namibia trip with us, nice scenery and nice specimens! I rather like the Erongo smoky quartz specimen - such a variety of crystal forms :-)
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 03, 2015 02:56 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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Hi Mike. Thank you for the comments. I did not mention that I had great difficulty getting my export permit, even though I did everything right. Was it not for a geologist working at the same building, I would still have been there. As far as I am concerned, the problem is incompetence. Best regards.
| Mineral: | Schorl and Quartz (variety smoky) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 80 x 69 x 47 mm |
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38998 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Schorl and Quartz (variety smoky) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 80 x 69 x 47 mm |
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38951 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Quartz |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 52 x 30 x 18 mm |
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| This Quartz specimen is far too special for a poor photographer like me. |
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38986 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Quartz (variiety citrine) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 22 x 17 x 08 mm |
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| A new find. Quartz (variiety citrine) with smoky phanthom. |
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39005 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Opal (variety hyalite) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 25 x 19 x 12 mm |
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38988 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Opal (variety hyalite) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 61 x 58 x 47 mm |
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38999 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Opal (variety hyalite) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 61 x 58 x 47 mm |
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39077 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 04, 2015 06:47 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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And a few more pictures of minerals.
| Mineral: | Fluorapatite (Apatite Group) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Description: |
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38826 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Fluorapatite (Apatite Group) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 15 x 08 x 07 mm |
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38800 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Beryl (variety aquamarine) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 64 x 39 x 16 mm |
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| An unusual aquamarine specimen. |
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38835 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Beryl (variety aquamarine) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 64 x 39 x 16 mm |
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| The other side of the above specimen. |
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38821 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Andradite (variety demantoid) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | crystals up to 6mm |
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38794 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Topaz |
| Locality: | | Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | Longest 28 x 09 x 08 mm |
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| Nice topaz crystals are hard to find. |
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| Mineral: | Beryl (variety aquamarine) with schorl |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | up to about 25 mm long. |
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38793 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Beryl (variety aquamarine) with schorl |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | up to about 22 mm |
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| There were quite of an abundance of small aquas this time round, especially these heavily included small crystals. |
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38784 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 05, 2015 09:39 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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A few more specimens.
| Mineral: | Beryl (variety goshenite) on Quartz. |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 27 x 19 x 16 mm |
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| There was an abundance of these little goshenites and I love them. They have multiple generation growths and a pearly appearance. |
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38666 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Beryl (goshenite) on Schorl. |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 26 x 16 x 14 mm |
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38677 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Beryl (goshenite) on Schorl. |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 33 x 30 x 22 mm |
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38680 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Beryl (goshenite) on Schorl. |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 24 x 22 x 15 mm |
| Description: |
| Typical of these goshenites is the fascinating terminations; mostly double terminated. |
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38717 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Quartz |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 69 x 26 x 18 mm |
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| Quartz from a new find at Erongo mountains. Some of these have amethyst and smoky colouring. |
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38717 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Quartz with Schorl |
| Locality: | | Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 105 x 32 x 16 mm |
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38651 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Andradite (variety demantoid) |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 47 x 33 x 18 mm |
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38646 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 06, 2015 09:54 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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I am concluding with 2 Brandberg specimens and an Erongo smoky quartz with unknown inclusions.
| Mineral: | Quartz |
| Locality: | | Brandberg area, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 140 x 48 x 41 mm |
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38582 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Quartz (variety amethyst) |
| Locality: | | Brandberg area, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 65 x 16 x 13 mm |
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38616 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Quartz (variety smoky) with unknown inclusions. |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | 90 x 36 x 30 mm |
| Description: |
| The small miners pointed out to me that some of the smoky quartz crystals contained unknown mineral inclusions. Here is one of them. |
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38595 Time(s) |
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| Mineral: | Quartz with unknown inclusions. |
| Locality: | | Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia | |
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| Dimensions: | approx. 5 mm |
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| Here is the best close up of the inclusion. |
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| Viewed: |
38578 Time(s) |
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2900
Location: Arkansas
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| Posted: Nov 06, 2015 12:46 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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Pierre,
I have really enjoyed your report and pictures from your recent trip to Namibia. I particularly like your schorl and smoky quartz, P1090332.JPG.
Regards,
Don
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 06, 2015 14:21 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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| Don Lum wrote: | Pierre,
I have really enjoyed your report and pictures from your recent trip to Namibia. I particularly like your schorl and smoky quartz, P1090332.JPG.
Regards,
Don |
Thank you Don; and I loved sharing it. Best regards, also to Gwen.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Mike Wood
Joined: 16 Dec 2010
Posts: 456
Location: Northern England
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| Posted: Nov 08, 2015 09:50 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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Thanks Pierre for your report on your field trip to Namibia, it looks an interesting Country. The photo's are great and I really like your last three large quartz specimens and the andradite garnet also.
Best regards, Mike :-)
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Nov 08, 2015 12:39 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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| Mike Wood wrote: | Thanks Pierre for your report on your field trip to Namibia, it looks an interesting Country. The photo's are great and I really like your last three large quartz specimens and the andradite garnet also.
Best regards, Mike :-) |
Hi Mike. Thank you for your kind comment. It is as I said: you need a looong holiday to explore this amazing country. Best regards.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Clifford Trebilcock
Joined: 14 Mar 2014
Posts: 12
Location: Phippsburg, Maine
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| Posted: Dec 13, 2015 16:34 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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Hi Pierre,
Thanks for your interesting trip report. The black unidentified crystal inclusions in the quartz
crystal you asked about appear to be hematite crystals. Inclusions in quartz are one of my favorites.
Thanks,
Cliff
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Matt_Zukowski
Site Admin
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 737
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: Dec 13, 2015 19:40 Post subject: Re: My recent trip to Namibia. |
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The banded apatite (P1090366.JPG) looks interesting to me.
1) Does the banding tell us that it began as a tabular xtal and then grew along the c-axis and not the a-axes, adding material with varying amounts of impurities that add color?
2) Is there some sort of inclusion or void feature that runs along the c-axis?
Apatite is such a cool mineral (or group)!
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