Mineral Galleries | Keyite
On special occasions, mineralspecies.com has the opportunity to obtain specimens of the most desirable of Tsumeb minerals. In this case, we have secured three fine specimens of keyite from Tsumeb, Namibia. The mineral name keyite honors Charlie Key. For more information on keyite, please see:
Embrey, P.G., Fejer, E.E., Clark, A.M. (1977) Keyite: a new mineral from Tsumeb. Mineralogical Record, 8(3), 87-90.
MS0221 - Keyite
Date: May 28th, 2008Keyite with cuprian Adamite
Tsumeb mine, Otavi Mountains, Namibia
Thumbnail, 3.6 by 2.1 by 1.5 cm
$500 - Order Form
This specimen is a matrix of massive tennantine with narrow open veinlets hosting small cuprian adamite and minute keyite crystals. The keyite crystals are very small, measuring 0.1 to 0.2 mm. However, this specimen has a lot of keyite, as shown in the micrographs below. This is the most photogenic of the lot. In fact, keyite crystals occur on both sides of the specimen. There is also a green veinlet running through the matrix, and very careful trimming may reveal even more keyite. Keyite is an extremely rare mineral known from only the Tsumeb mine. These specimens are very difficult to obtain!
MS0222 - Keyite
Date: May 28th, 2008Keyite with cuprian Adamite
Tsumeb mine, Otavi Mountains, Namibia
Thumbnail, 3.4 by 2.1 by 1.1 cm
$650 - Order Form
This matrix of massive tennantine and quartz has two adamite pockets. Keyite occurs scattered about both sides of the matrix. The keyite crystals are very small, measuring 0.1 to 0.2 mm. However, this specimen hosts a lot of keyite, certainly the richest of this lot. Careful trimming could yield several fine micromounts of this rarity. Keyite is known exclusively from the Tsumeb mine. These specimens are very difficult to obtain!
MS0223 - Keyite
Date: May 28th, 2008Keyite with cuprian Adamite
Tsumeb mine, Otavi Mountains, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.7 by 2.1 by 1.2 cm
$400 - Order Form
This specimen has a small pocket and narrow open veinlets hosting cuprian adamite in a matrix of massive tennantine and quartz. The keyite crystals are very small, measuring 0.1 to 0.2 mm. However, this specimen is rich in keyite, as shown in the micrographs below. A green veinlet through the middle of this matrix contains more keyite and adamite. Careful trimming could expose these crystals, affording several good micromounts. Keyite is an extremely rare mineral known from only the Tsumeb mine. These specimens are very difficult to obtain!
MS0227 - Kipushite
Date: May 28th, 2008Kipushite
Kipushi mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Thumbnail, 2.7 by 2.5 by 1.2 cm
$60 - Order Form
Kipushite is a rare copper phosphate, originally described from the Kipushi mine. This specimen is a complete cavity lining covering about 5 cm2. Some kipushite is this specimen is simply botryoidal and the remainder has formed pseudomorphs after another mineral, possibly reichenbachite. A fine specimen, now rarely available on the market.
