Namibia's beauty is not only seen on its geographical surface. It is also deeply encrusted in its soil. Although two of its best-known assets are diamonds and uranium, its earth keeps many gems and crystals such as quartz, agates, tourmalines, and even a gem variety that was once discovered here and called 'pietersite'.
Pietersite " was discovered in Africa in 1962 by Sid Pieters. It is a stone with swirling blue, gold, or red color bands naturally cemented with quartz. Pietersite was revealed by Sid Pieter’s during 1962 while he was looking for farmland in Namibia, Africa. After his finding, he registered his findings in the mineral records of Britain. In fact, his entire discovery wasn’t published since 1964. The material was to be known as “Pietersite”. “[quote]
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| A chatoyant Pietersite |
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Here are two places I went to in order to learn more about these African minerals:
1. A diamond factory and display showroom at the Namibian Craft Center of Windhoek.
This wonderful, contemporary building has a museum, a gem factory, and a jewelry shop, where you can actually buy what is on display.
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| Huge crystal on display |
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| At the museum |
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| A lit crystal inside the museum |
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| Showroom world-record |
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| Amethyst geode |
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| Citrine geode |
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| Meteorite found in the desert |
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| Another amethyst geode |
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| Black Tourmaline crystals |
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| Schorl (the most common form of Tourmaline) |
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| Azurite |
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