{"product_id":"lattice-quartz-with-foitite-from-erongo-mountains-namibia","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 impressive cabinet-sized specimen from the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eErongo Mountains of Namibia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, featuring a remarkable three-dimensional arrangement of pale, translucent quartz crystals intergrown in the distinctive structure known as Gitter Quartz or Lattice Quartz. Across the specimen, delicate brown to reddish-brown Foitite-rich mineralisation creates a beautiful contrast against the predominantly white and translucent quartz, while numerous smaller quartz crystals add exceptional depth and detail.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\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, milky to 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 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, lattice-like quartz crystals with numerous 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 182 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 × 45 × 73 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 one of Namibia's most celebrated mineral-producing regions. The Erongo Complex is a large Early Cretaceous granitic and volcanic complex that formed during a period of major igneous activity associated with the breakup of Gondwana. The Erongo Granite and associated pegmatites are approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e132 million years old\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and are renowned for producing an extraordinary variety of collector minerals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLattice Quartz, also known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGitter Quartz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is particularly distinctive because its crystals develop in an unusual interlocking, three-dimensional arrangement. The German term \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGitterquarz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e refers to the lattice or fence-like structure created by the intersecting quartz crystals. At the Erongo occurrence, quartz growth can be closely associated with earlier feldspar crystals, with the orientation of the quartz influenced by the underlying feldspar structure. In some specimens, the original feldspar has subsequently been dissolved or replaced, leaving the characteristic lattice architecture. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis specimen is especially attractive because the lattice structure is not confined to a single face. The quartz crystals form a complex three-dimensional framework that can be appreciated from several directions. Large, pale quartz crystals project from the central mass, while numerous smaller crystals fill the spaces between them, creating a richly textured specimen with considerable visual depth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdding another layer of interest is the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoitite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a rare member of the tourmaline group. Foitite is well documented from the Erongo Mountains and is known from mineral assemblages that include quartz and feldspar. It commonly develops in dark, fibrous or acicular forms, although its appearance can vary considerably depending on the particular occurrence and associated minerals. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn this specimen, the Foitite-rich material appears as extensive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebrown to reddish-brown coatings and clusters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e distributed across the quartz crystals. These warm earthy tones provide a striking contrast to the cool white and translucent quartz, highlighting the geometry of the lattice and making individual crystal groups easier to distinguish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe specimen has also 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 for display. At \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e182 grams and measuring 66 × 45 × 73 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, it has a substantial presence while retaining the intricate crystal detail that makes Lattice Quartz so appealing to collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuartz has a Mohs hardness of approximately 7, but the numerous projecting crystals and fine intergrowths on this specimen can be delicate. Handle carefully and avoid impacts, abrasion and unnecessary movement once positioned for display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating example of Namibia's unusual mineral heritage, this Erongo Lattice Quartz combines an intricate three-dimensional crystal structure with contrasting Foitite-rich mineralisation. A superb choice for collectors seeking an unusual quartz specimen with strong geological character and exceptional display presence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ForeverGems_SA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46805678457028,"sku":"S616","price":600.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1599\/4699\/files\/S616LatticeQuartzwithFoititeErongoNamiba_1.webp?v=1790154187","url":"https:\/\/www.forevergems.co.za\/products\/lattice-quartz-with-foitite-from-erongo-mountains-namibia","provider":"ForeverGems_SA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}