Malachite on Shattuckite with Quartz
Omaue Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau,
Kunene Region, Namibia
7.1 cm tall x 6.5 cm wide
Ex-collection Irv Brown
Pictured; Cover, Mineralogical Record, Vol. 44, Number 5, Sept.-Oct. 2013
“The Kaokoveld district has without doubt produced the finest shattuckite specimens in the world (Bowell and Cook, 2009). Typically, it occurs as concentric radial aggregates growing on plancheite, often with a velvet-like appearance. It is generally the next to last copper silicate mineral to form,…The color varies somewhat from one locality to another, from pale turquoise-blue as at the Kandesi and Omaue workings, to a rich dark blue color as at the Okandawasi pit. …it is often found partially or completely coated by quartz, and excellent examples of this have been recovered from the Christoff mine and the Okandawasi pits.”
Bowell, R. J., Ermolina, O., & Van Der Plas, W. (2013, Sept.-Oct.). Minerals of the Kaokoveld District Kunene Region, Namibia. The Mineralogical Record, 44(5), 499–500.
This specimen showcases a vibrant array of textures and colors, primarily in shades of blue and green. The blue shattuckite coated with glistening quartz has a crystalline appearance with layered circular patterns, creating a sense of depth and complexity. In contrast, the green chatoyant malachite “bowtie” is composed of lustrous, fibrous structures, adding an organic element. The combination of these elements results in an enchanting composition that evokes the natural beauty of geological formations.
This specimen was chosen for the cover of the Mineralogical Record as it represents the very best from this locality as well as the species. The strength of colors and contrast create a specimen that is truly unforgettable and best of its type.