Outstanding dark orange microcrystals of the extremely rare germanium mineral stottite from the type locality in Tsumeb (Tsumeb Mine, Otavi Highlands, Namibia). Stottite has only been found in Tsumeb, so it is a only locality mineral. Labeled as RR in Gebhard book (single occurrence with more than 10 specimens). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stottite
Stottite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Fe²⁺Ge(OH)₆.
It crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system (space group P4_2/n). It is a member of the Perovskite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5; specific gravity 3.596; Grayish white streak; Resinous to adamantine, greasy on cleavages luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Sto, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1958.
A rare secondary mineral formed in an oxidized zone of a germanium-rich dolostone-hosted hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposit.
It is found associated with Tennantite, germanite, reniérite, chalcocite, leiteite, schneiderhöhnite, brunogeierite, siderite.
The mineral was named to honor Charles E. Stott (1896–1978), geologist and formerly General Director of the Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Namibia.