Detailed information
Species
Duftite, Mottramite
Dimensions
87 x 87 x 42
mm
Locality
Tsumeb Mine Otjikoto Region Namibia
Condition
No recorded repairs
Like so many of the mineral species found throughout the Tsumeb ore body, Mottramite is yet another which crystallises better here than almost anywhere else in the world. This magnificent cabinet specimen subtly varies between battleship-grey and jet-black, the Mottramite forming a porous entanglement of spherical rosettes averaging around 7 mm in diameter. Crystalline plumed structures to over 1 cm are also distributed over and throughout the specimen, together with a hollow epimorph-tube measuring roughly 4 x 1 cm. The Mottramite, an anhydrous vanadate hydroxide, forms micro-orthorhombic crystals with make the specimen twinkle from the myriad of reflective points. The underside reveals small patches of delightful pistachio-green mottramite where the outer crystalline layer is missing. A first rate Tsumeb Mottramite.