Hercynite xls; Namib Desert, Namibia; Min; unique piece

Hercynite crystals from the Namib Desert, Namibia – miniature specimen as a unique piece

The miniature specimen features a well-formed, dark brown-black to black Hercynite crystal on a pale, whitish-cream matrix. Its distinct faces and roughly octahedral shape stand out clearly against the light-colored rock. Smaller dark crystals, as well as orange-brown and yellowish areas, are also visible on the matrix.

The crystals are scattered across the matrix’s irregular surface. Fine points of lustre on the pale rock and differently colored inclusions add detail around the prominent dark crystal. The label gives the locality as the Namib Desert in Namibia.

Geology & Origin

The Namib Desert stretches along Namibia’s Atlantic coast. Hercynite is an iron-aluminium oxide in the spinel group, with the formula FeAl₂O₄. It forms, among other settings, in iron- and aluminium-rich metamorphic rocks and certain igneous rocks. The broad locality given on the label does not allow the specific host rock to be identified more precisely.