Namibian Specimens
from the Charles Locke Key Collection

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85 specimens selected...

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K-146 - Primary Malachite (GEMMY, sharp crystal) - SOLD
Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia
miniature, 4.3 x 2.2 x 1.6 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Primary Malachite (GEMMY, sharp crystal) from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-146a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Primary Malachite (GEMMY, sharp crystal) from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-146b.jpg]

This malachite is probably the smallest crystal I'd ever want to see of the species, I admit, but it is STELLAR in quality! The 8mm crystal is SHARP, gemmy, transparent, and intensely electric green in color. I have never EVER seen a malachite crystal so sharply formed. Neither had Charlie. He treasured this little guy, which lived in a drawer near his desk. He thought ,and i agree, that thismight just be the finest malachite crystal around , for sheer gram-for-gram quallity!

K-117 - Schorl, Foitite, Fluorite on Feldspar - SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
small cabinet, 6.5 x 5.8 x 3.7 cm
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Schorl, Foitite, Fluorite on Feldspar from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-117a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Schorl, Foitite, Fluorite on Feldspar from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-117b.jpg]

A strange combination specimen featuring a single stark green fluorite isolated on top of schorl crystals. This in itself is unusual. The larger crystals are schorl, and I am told (though havent analysed), that the smaller tourmaline crystals , almost needlelike, are the related tourmaline species foitite

K-200 - Ilmenite with Cassiterite on Smoky Quartz - SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
miniature, 5.6 x 3.5 x 3.1 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Ilmenite with Cassiterite on Smoky Quartz from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-200a.jpg]

This specimen features a 3 x 3 x 1 cm ilmenite nearly embedded in the quartz matrix. On its edges are perched SAHRP cassiterite crystals to 1.25 cm. Some show twinning, I think. This is a MOST UNUSUAL association! I cannot recall seeing it from any other locality, before. It is the only such ilmenite we have, with epitaxial cassiterite association.

K-199 - Epidote - SOLD
Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
cabinet, 12.1 x 5.9 x 3.7 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Epidote from Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa [db_pics/pics/k-199a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Epidote from Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa [db_pics/pics/k-199b.jpg]
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Epidote from Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa [db_pics/pics/k-199c.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Epidote from Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa [db_pics/pics/k-199d.jpg]

This is a VERY significant epidote for Namibia, and pretty good by other standards as well. It features a 4-inch-plus crystal of very nice 3-dimensionality, in cluster with others. It is good from all sides, and can be displayed horizontally or vertically! It is nearly pristine! Charlie prized this highly and like many others in this offering, it was in the select group of drawers near his desk wher ethe collection accumulated over the decades.

K-193 - Gem Chalcedony pseudomorph after Fluorite - SOLD
Blinkpan, Karas Region, Namibia
small cabinet, 7.3 x 3.9 x 3.0 cm
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Gem Chalcedony pseudomorph after Fluorite from Blinkpan, Karas Region, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-193a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Gem Chalcedony pseudomorph after Fluorite from Blinkpan, Karas Region, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-193b.jpg]

These beautiful specimens are rare survivors of a small find that produced GREAT carving rough for cabochons and jewelry made of chalcedony (its gemmy and transparent/translucent!), to the detriment of the original specimens from our point of view! Charlie saved some from the wrecker, though, and these are a few selected from a flat we have of this rare and beautiful old material from the 1980s. This one is particularly nice because it is a good-sized plate with excellent translucency and good horizons abou the edge. IN person, you'd displayit set down a bit, to better show off the crystals!

K-192 - Gem Chalcedony pseudomorph after Fluorite - SOLD
Blinkpan, Karas Region, Namibia
cabinet, 18.3 x 10.2 x 3.4 cm
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Gem Chalcedony pseudomorph after Fluorite from Blinkpan, Karas Region, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-192a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Gem Chalcedony pseudomorph after Fluorite from Blinkpan, Karas Region, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-192b.jpg]

These beautiful specimens are rare survivors of a small find that produced GREAT carving rough for cabochons and jewelry made of chalcedony (its gemmy and transparent/translucent!), to the detriment of the original specimens from our point of view! Charlie saved some from the wrecker, though, and these are a few selected from a flat we have of this rare and beautiful old material from the 1980s. This one is particularly nice because it shows the lace agate in layers around the chalcedony, that provided the silica for replacement of the fluorite crystals that were originally inside this vug. In other words, this piece preserves the full geological context of the pocket, with crystals in a vug in the ground, changing over timeto another mineral due to alterations in the chemistry and environment. Besides, its beautiful, too!

K-184 - Herderite - SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
miniature, 4.5 x 3.9 x 2.5 cm
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Herderite from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-184a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Herderite from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-184b.jpg]

A rare locality specimen of herderite, extremely rare for this locale, as featured in the recent Minerlogical Record article on this locality!

K-182 - Blue Topaz - SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
small cabinet, 6.5 x 6.5 x 5.7 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Blue Topaz from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-182a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Blue Topaz from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-182b.jpg]
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Blue Topaz from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-182c.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Blue Topaz from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-182d.jpg]

This piece features GEMMY, sharp, brilliantly lustrous blue topaz crystals on matrix and only a handful of world localities have EVER produced such. Note the quality an dcomplexity of that large crystal and its bevelled terminations, please...this is an outstanding matrix blue topaz from ANY locality, standing on its own merit! Again, this is ERONGO and not from the more common and assumed best Namib topaz locality of Spitzkopje! This took me by surprise. I had not seen such fine Erongo topaz before! And, its much MUCH better in person. The rich, pastel blue color it has, does not show well in photos here.

K-180 - Aquamarine (sceptered) - SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
thumbnail, from 1.5 x 1.1 x 1.0 to 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.6
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Aquamarine (sceptered) from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-180a.jpg]

These are jus tplain cute, tooth-like little beryls all showin gdramatic etching effects which make them look more like teeth than like aquamarine. All floaters and all terminated!

K-176 - Goshenite on Fluorite - SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
miniature, 4.3 x 3.5 x 2.2 cm
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Goshenite on Fluorite from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-176a.jpg]
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Goshenite on Fluorite from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-176b.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Goshenite on Fluorite from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-176c.jpg]

Another unusual combo piece, this one particularly well-balanced and with a very gemmy goshenite, and large fluorite for the find as well!

K-175 - Heliodor Beryl - SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
miniature, 3.9 x 3.0 x 2.3 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Heliodor Beryl from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-175a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Heliodor Beryl from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-175b.jpg]

A big fat crystal with intense beer-color, quite unusual, from a recent find in the Erongos like none ever seen before. These are REALLY intensely colored, and stand out in a case! The tips are gemmy and glassy, but the side edges almost always show matte surface, which may be due to a change in chemistry during growth. This is one of the largest single crystals from the find that Charlie was aware of,and probably one of the better clusters as well.

K-178 - Prehnite on Quartz - SOLD
Goboboseb, Namibia
miniature, 5.4 x 2.6 x 2.3 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Prehnite on Quartz from Goboboseb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-178a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Prehnite on Quartz from Goboboseb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-178b.jpg]

Another superb miniature, showing a bright green doublet perched on clear quartz. Again, these are larger than the usual from here.

K-177 - Prehnite on Amethystine Quartz - SOLD
Goboboseb, Namibia
miniature, 4.5 x 1.8 x 1.4 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Prehnite on Amethystine Quartz from Goboboseb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-177a.jpg]
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Prehnite on Amethystine Quartz from Goboboseb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-177b.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Prehnite on Amethystine Quartz from Goboboseb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-177c.jpg]

A very elegant specimen with prehnite of apple-green color wrapped exquisitely around the tip of a GLASSY, GEMMY amethyst! lok at the tip poke through!

K-171 - Prehnite on Quartz with Amethyst phantoms - SOLD
Goboboseb, Namibia
small cabinet, 6.6 x 3.0 x 2.4 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Prehnite on Quartz with Amethyst phantoms from Goboboseb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-171a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Prehnite on Quartz with Amethyst phantoms from Goboboseb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-171b.jpg]

This is one of the larger examples of prehnite associated with good amethyst, that we have. Most such crystals from these finds are from smaller pockets, and are smaller in size by quite a margin. Superb specimen with excellent deep color, and intense phantoms! Repaired once, cleanly, near the middle.

K-168 - Hyalite Opal on Goshenite Beryl - SOLD
Erongo Mountains, Namibia
miniature, 4.0 x 3.8 x 3.6 cm
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ex.  Charlie Key

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Hyalite Opal on Goshenite Beryl from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-168a.jpg]		CLICK HERE FOR LARGER IMAGE:
Hyalite Opal on Goshenite Beryl from Erongo Mountains, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-168b.jpg]

This specimen is notable both for the doubly-terminated goshenite and also for the richness of the hyalite opal, which glows intensely in ultraviolet light and is quite rare from here.


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