{"product_id":"lattice-quartz-with-foitite-from-erongo-mountains-namibia-1","title":"Lattice Quartz with Foitite from 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 an attractive specimen from the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eErongo Mountains of Namibia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, featuring broad, softly translucent quartz crystals arranged in the distinctive interlocking growth pattern characteristic of Erongo Lattice Quartz. The pale quartz forms a substantial outer framework around a central area of smaller crystals and darker Foitite-rich mineralisation, creating an intriguing contrast and giving the specimen considerable depth.\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 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 to 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 lattice-like quartz crystals with 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 126 g\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 66 × 63 × 45 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\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBase:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Natural flat base\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 of Namibia are renowned for producing an extraordinary range of collector minerals, particularly from their granite-associated pegmatites and miarolitic cavities. The region is well known for unusual quartz formations, colourful tourmalines and a variety of rare and distinctive mineral associations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmong the most recognisable Erongo quartz varieties is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLattice Quartz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, often referred to as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGitter Quartz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Rather than growing as isolated points, the quartz crystals can develop in an unusual interlocking arrangement, producing a complex framework in which individual crystals intersect and overlap. This distinctive growth habit gives Erongo Lattice Quartz an appearance that can change dramatically depending on the viewing angle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen provides an excellent example of that unusual growth style. Several broad, pale quartz crystals form the outer structure, while smaller crystals occupy the central spaces and create a fascinating transition between the larger crystal forms. The quartz has a soft, milky appearance, with areas of greater translucency that allow glimpses into the interior of the specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA particularly interesting feature is the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecentral concentration of darker Foitite-rich mineralisation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The dark material occurs between and beneath the pale quartz crystals, creating a natural focal point and providing contrast to the predominantly white specimen. Small, clearer quartz crystals can also be seen growing amongst the darker mineralisation, adding another layer of detail when viewed closely.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe specimen has an almost \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eflower-like or architectural arrangement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with several broad quartz crystals extending outward from the centre. Unlike a simple quartz cluster, its appeal comes from the relationship between the individual crystals and the spaces created between them. The different viewing angles reveal changing combinations of broad crystal faces, smaller points and the darker mineral-rich interior.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e126 grams and measuring 66 × 63 × 45 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is a compact but substantial collector specimen. It has been \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eprofessionally cleaned while retaining its natural flat base\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, allowing it to stand securely for display without requiring a separate stand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartz has a Mohs hardness of approximately 7, but the projecting crystal edges and intricate intergrowths can be susceptible to damage from impact. Handle carefully and avoid unnecessary abrasion or movement once the specimen has been positioned.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful example of Erongo's distinctive Lattice Quartz, this specimen combines softly translucent quartz, an unusual interlocking crystal structure and contrasting Foitite-rich mineralisation. Its natural flat base makes it an especially appealing addition to a mineral display or Namibian mineral collection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ForeverGems_SA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46807304077508,"sku":"S618","price":430.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1599\/4699\/files\/S618LatticeQuartzwithFoititeErongoNamiba_1.webp?v=1790158297","url":"https:\/\/www.forevergems.co.za\/products\/lattice-quartz-with-foitite-from-erongo-mountains-namibia-1","provider":"ForeverGems_SA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}