{"product_id":"architectural-lattice-quartz-with-foitite-erongo-namibia","title":"Architectural Lattice Quartz with Foitite, Erongo Namibia","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArchitectural Lattice Quartz with Foitite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a distinctive specimen from the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eErongo Mountains of Namibia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, displaying an intricate arrangement of pale, milky-white quartz crystals interwoven with abundant darker Foitite-rich mineralisation. Its broad, layered structure gives the specimen an almost architectural appearance, with larger quartz crystals projecting from several levels and numerous smaller crystals filling the spaces between them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMineral:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lattice Quartz with Foitite\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartz Chemical Formula:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e SiO₂\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoitite:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tourmaline-group mineral\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocality:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Erongo Mountains, Erongo Region, Namibia\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeological Setting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Erongo Sub-Volcanic Granite-Miarolitic-Pegmatite Complex\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeological Age:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Early Cretaceous, approximately 132 million years\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartz Colour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e White to milky and translucent\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoitite Colour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dark grey, brown to reddish-brown\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransparency:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Translucent to locally transparent\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal Habit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Interlocking and layered lattice-like quartz crystals with abundant smaller associated crystals\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated Minerals:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Foitite and feldspar\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 307 g\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 106 × 75 × 55 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreparation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Professionally cleaned and trimmed\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBase:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Flat trimmed base for stable display\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ready for display\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eErongo Mountains\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are renowned among mineral collectors for their unusual and highly aesthetic mineral specimens. The region is associated with an Early Cretaceous granitic and volcanic complex formed during the major geological events surrounding the breakup of Gondwana. The Erongo mineral district is particularly noted for its pegmatites and miarolitic cavities, which provided ideal environments for the growth of well-developed crystals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most distinctive minerals associated with the region is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLattice Quartz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, also known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGitter Quartz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Rather than forming as a simple mass of individual quartz crystals, this unusual growth habit produces an intricate framework of interlocking crystals. The quartz can develop around or in association with earlier feldspar crystals, with subsequent dissolution or alteration of the feldspar contributing to the characteristic open, lattice-like architecture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen demonstrates that structure particularly well. The quartz crystals form several overlapping layers across the specimen, with larger milky crystals creating the main framework and smaller, sharper crystals occupying the spaces between them. From different viewing angles, the arrangement changes considerably, revealing additional crystal faces, cavities and interlocking growth patterns.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe specimen is also richly decorated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoitite-rich mineralisation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Dark grey to brown and reddish-brown material occurs in concentrated patches across the quartz, creating a strong natural contrast with the pale crystals. In several areas, the darker mineralisation forms dense clusters surrounded by smaller quartz crystals, adding both colour and texture to the specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emilky Lattice Quartz and dark Foitite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e gives this piece a particularly distinctive appearance. Rather than relying on a single large crystal, its appeal comes from the complexity of the entire mineral association. The numerous projecting crystals, layered growth and contrasting mineralisation reward close examination and give the specimen considerable depth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e307 grams and measuring 106 × 75 × 55 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is a substantial specimen with a strong three-dimensional presence. It has been \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eprofessionally cleaned and trimmed with a flat base\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, allowing it to stand securely and making it particularly well suited to cabinet display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartz has a Mohs hardness of approximately 7, but the projecting crystals and intricate lattice structure can be delicate. Handle carefully and avoid impacts or abrasion when positioning or cleaning the specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its unusual lattice architecture, abundant Foitite-rich mineralisation and impressive three-dimensional form, this Erongo specimen is a fascinating example of Namibia's remarkable mineral diversity. A captivating addition to any quartz or Namibian mineral collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ForeverGems_SA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46807137059012,"sku":"S617","price":1050.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1599\/4699\/files\/S617LatticeQuartzwithFoititeErongoNamiba_1.webp?v=1790157500","url":"https:\/\/www.forevergems.co.za\/products\/architectural-lattice-quartz-with-foitite-erongo-namibia","provider":"ForeverGems_SA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}