Tsumeb
Curated by Maggie Liu · Updated:
Tsumeb, in northern Namibia, is one of the greatest mineral localities ever worked — a deep copper-lead-zinc pipe that produced an unmatched diversity of superb secondary minerals.
About Tsumebextended article
What it is known for
Tsumeb is the type locality for many species and the source of world-best azurite, dioptase, mimetite, cerussite, smithsonite, and wulfenite, from a richly oxidised orebody worked to great depth.
What collectors look for
Gemmy dioptase, sharp azurite, and brightly coloured mimetite and wulfenite are the classics; anything with genuine Tsumeb provenance is highly sought after.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Tsumeb?
Tsumeb is a mineral locality in Oshikoto, Namibia. It lies at approximately 19.2300°S, 17.7200°E. Elevation is about 1300 m.
What minerals are found at Tsumeb?
Signature minerals from Tsumeb include Azurite, Mimetite, Dioptase, Cerussite, Smithsonite, Wulfenite. The locality lies in Oshikoto, Namibia, and each mineral links to a full reference entry with formula, crystal system, and collector notes.
What is Tsumeb known for?
Tsumeb, in northern Namibia, is one of the greatest mineral localities ever worked — a deep copper-lead-zinc pipe that produced an unmatched diversity of superb secondary minerals.
Looking for specimens from Tsumeb?
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