Lattice Quartz with Foitite Tower, Erongo Mountains Namibia

This Lattice Quartz with Foitite is a striking specimen from the Erongo Mountains of Namibia, distinguished by its unusual upright, architectural form. Broad milky-white quartz crystals rise from a complex mineral-rich base, creating a tall central formation surrounded by numerous smaller quartz crystals. Dark grey to brown Foitite-rich mineralisation appears throughout the structure, providing subtle contrast against the predominantly pale quartz.

Specimen Details

✓ Mineral: Lattice Quartz with Foitite
✓ Quartz Chemical Formula: SiO₂
✓ Foitite: Tourmaline-group mineral
✓ Locality: Erongo Mountains, Erongo Region, Namibia
✓ Geological Setting: Erongo granite and associated pegmatitic environment
✓ Geological Age: Cretaceous
✓ Quartz Colour: White to milky, with translucent to clearer areas
✓ Foitite Colour: Dark grey, black and reddish-brown
✓ Transparency: Translucent to locally transparent
✓ Crystal Habit: Interlocking, lattice-like quartz crystals with smaller associated crystals
✓ Associated Minerals: Foitite, feldspar and other fine mineralisation
✓ Weight: 177 g
✓ Size: 50 × 47 × 77 mm
✓ Preparation: Cleaned
✓ Base: Trimmed flat base
✓ Display: Ready for display

The Lattice Quartz of Erongo

The Erongo Mountains are renowned for unusual quartz formations and complex mineral associations. Lattice Quartz, sometimes referred to as Gitter Quartz, is particularly distinctive because its crystals form an intricate three-dimensional framework rather than a simple collection of individual points.

The unusual architecture develops through the intergrowth of quartz with earlier mineral phases, particularly feldspar. As the associated material is altered or removed, the quartz can remain as an open, interlocking framework with an almost architectural appearance.

A Striking Vertical Formation

This specimen has an especially distinctive upright profile, with the quartz rising approximately 77 mm above its trimmed base. Large, softly translucent quartz crystals dominate the upper portion, while smaller crystals fill the spaces between the larger formations.

Several areas reveal clearer quartz with well-defined faces, adding depth and visual interest. Darker Foitite-rich mineralisation is concentrated through the central and lower portions of the specimen, appearing between and around the pale quartz crystals.

Viewed from different angles, the specimen changes considerably. One side highlights the tall central quartz formation, while the reverse reveals additional interlocking crystals and mineral-rich pockets. This gives the specimen a substantial three-dimensional presence despite its relatively compact footprint.

The trimmed flat base allows the specimen to stand securely for display, making it particularly well suited to a mineral cabinet, collector's shelf or dedicated quartz display.

Care & Handling

Quartz has a hardness of approximately 7 on the Mohs scale, but the projecting crystals and delicate interlocking structure can be vulnerable to knocks. Handle carefully and avoid dropping or placing heavy objects against the specimen.

This 177 g Erongo Lattice Quartz combines an impressive vertical silhouette, intricate crystal architecture and contrasting Foitite-rich mineralisation, making it a fascinating specimen to explore from every angle and a distinctive addition to a Namibian mineral collection.