Aquamarines

Is it ironic that here on the edge of the Namib desert the most valuable stone we find near our Ûiba Ôas Crystals Market is the aquamarine?  Aquamarines, like emeralds and dioptase, are beryls, and are distinguished by their beautiful sea-blue color.  Like the sea, they can enchant you.

This sizeable aquamarine was a great find for a hard-working miner.

Legend has it that aquamarines can calm rough waves and keep sailors safe.  As lovely as they are, we don't recommend relying on them for that!




They contrast beautifully with locally-mined black tourmaline.

The excitement we feel on discovering an aquamarine out at the site is great.  We hope you'll feel something similar when you discover these mystical gems at our market.

A great rock specimen for a collector - experienced or just beginning.

Our Aqua Stars soccer team is named for our most precious stone!  They would love to meet you at our market - and maybe share a few passes.

Thanks to Kickin' Back for their support of the Aqua Stars.

Damara Culture

We love to talk about our Damara culture!  Feel free to ask about our dress, our songs and dances, our favorite foods and our traditions.  If you need help with pronounciation in Damara, we'd love to assist.


"Ûiba Ôas" is pronounced 'ooy-bah oh-aas'; our market's name means 'seeking a livelihood' or 'looking for a living'.


Women wear the scarves you see on the singers below in part because they can still carry bundles on their heads with this style of headwear.

We love celebrations!

A good way to get an excited conversation going is to ask about our traditional meals.  Have you ever tried donkey meat?  How about pap - polenta made with white corn meal?


And we're always pleased to tell you about the treasures we -- and our parents and grandparents -- discover on and around Klein Spitzkoppe mountain, which is part of the view from our market.  It's beautiful here; the landscape, the stones for sale, and the people sharing them with you.  We look forward to meeting you!




Aquamarines - almost as clear as water.

For Collectors

The rocky terrain of Erongo offers beautiful mineral specimens, and the people of Ûiba Ôas are also able to source samples from colleagues throughout Namibia.  Come see what we have to share with you!

Flourite

Amethyst in calcite

large rose quartz and gypsum

sceptre quartz

A mixed selection

Two amethyst quartzes

There's much more at the market!