Tsumgallite

tsumgallite

germanite

gallium

söhngeite

Images

Formula: GaO(OH)
Hydroxide, diaspore group, gallium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 5.08 calculated
Hardness: 1 to 2
Streak: White
Colour: Pale greenish yellow to beige
Luminescence: No fluorescence under UV
Common impurities: Zn,Ge,Fe,Si
Environments

Sedimentary environments
Hydrothermal environments

Tsumgallite was approved in 2002, but to date (February 2023) it has been reported only from the type locality.

Localities

At the type locality, the Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia, tsumgallite occurs in vugs of rich germanite ore, associated with söhngeite, zinc-bearing siderite, chalcocite and quartz. The tsumgallite forms very thin platelets up to 40 x 40 microns and 0.5 to 1 microns thick (CM 42.921-945).

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