{"product_id":"lattice-quartz-with-foitite-crest-erongo-mountains-namibia","title":"Lattice Quartz with Foitite Crest, Erongo Mountains Namibia","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLattice Quartz with Foitite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a substantial specimen from the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eErongo Mountains of Namibia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, distinguished by its broad horizontal form and prominent central quartz formation. A large upright milky-white quartz crystal rises above a complex landscape of smaller interlocking crystals, creating a natural focal point. Beneath and between the quartz, darker \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoitite-rich mineralisation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e forms contrasting patches and bands that add depth to the predominantly pale specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMineral:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Lattice Quartz with Foitite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartz Chemical Formula:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e SiO₂\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoitite:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tourmaline-group mineral\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocality:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Erongo Mountains, Erongo Region, Namibia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeological Setting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Erongo granite and associated pegmatitic environment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGeological Age:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cretaceous\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartz Colour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e White to milky, with translucent to clearer areas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoitite Colour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Dark grey to black with reddish-brown areas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransparency:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Translucent to locally transparent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrystal Habit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Interlocking lattice-like quartz crystals with prominent larger projecting crystals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated Minerals:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Foitite, feldspar and fine mineralisation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 566 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 137 × 75 × 85 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreparation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cleaned\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBase:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Natural flat base\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✓ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ready for display \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Lattice Quartz of Erongo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eErongo Mountains\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are renowned for unusual quartz formations and complex mineral associations. Lattice Quartz, also known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGitter Quartz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is particularly distinctive for its intricate three-dimensional arrangement of interlocking crystals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe unusual structure develops through the intergrowth of quartz with earlier mineral phases, particularly feldspar. As associated minerals are altered or removed, quartz can remain as a complex framework, producing the characteristic lattice-like architecture seen in these Namibian specimens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Bold Central Quartz Formation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe most prominent feature of this specimen is the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elarge upright quartz crystal at its centre\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, rising above a broad field of smaller crystals. Its softly translucent, milky appearance contrasts beautifully with the finer and clearer quartz crystals surrounding it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcross the main body, numerous smaller quartz crystals create an intricate textured surface. Some are relatively clear and sharply defined, while others are more heavily included and softly translucent. Together they produce the complex layered appearance characteristic of this type of Erongo quartz.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDark \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoitite-rich mineralisation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is particularly noticeable beneath and around the central crystal formation. Patches of dark grey, black and reddish-brown material break up the pale quartz and provide visual depth, while closer inspection reveals numerous small crystals growing through and around these mineral-rich areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe specimen has an appealing \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elandscape-like composition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with the broad natural base forming a foundation for the elevated central quartz formation. Different viewing angles reveal additional crystal pockets and interlocking growth, making this a specimen that rewards close examination.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e566 g and 137 mm across\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it has a substantial presence while retaining the intricate crystal detail that makes Lattice Quartz so fascinating. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enatural flat base\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e also allows it to be positioned securely for display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare \u0026amp; Handling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartz has a hardness of approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7 on the Mohs scale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, but the projecting crystals and complex interlocking structure can be vulnerable to impact. Handle carefully and avoid dropping or placing pressure on individual crystals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its commanding central quartz formation, extensive interlocking crystal growth and contrasting Foitite-rich mineralisation, this 566 g Erongo specimen has a distinctive natural architecture that makes it a fascinating centrepiece for a collection of Namibian minerals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ForeverGems_SA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46807679140036,"sku":"S623","price":1950.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1599\/4699\/files\/S623LatticeQuartzwithFoititeErongoNamibia_1.webp?v=1790159837","url":"https:\/\/www.forevergems.co.za\/products\/lattice-quartz-with-foitite-crest-erongo-mountains-namibia","provider":"ForeverGems_SA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}