Detailed information
Species
Schaurteite, Dolomite, Germanite
Dimensions
53 x 63 x 32
mm
Locality
Tsumeb Mine Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region Namibia
Condition
No recorded repairs
Schaurteite is one of Tsumeb's unique secondary species, formed by the remarkably complex geochemistry of the deposit. Chemically, calcium germanium sulphate hydroxide hydrate, it formed through the oxidation of germanium- and sulphur-bearing Germanite in contact with calcium-bearing Dolomite/Calcite. This large miniature specimen is mostly massive Germanite, but a vein of Dolomite/Calcite within the centre contains patches of silky fibrous Schaurteite. In places, the vein reaches 18 mm wide, and the Schaurteite occurs in at least one patch 12 x 14 mm in area. A very rich matrix specimen of this extremely rare species, that allows its geochemical context to be understood. Rare indeed.