Reviews
2.5" Blueish-Grey Foitite and Quartz on Orthoclase Feldspar - Namibia
This is a beautiful and exciting new find out of the Erongo Mountains in Namibia. It is a dense aggregation of blue-grey foitite crystals encrusting orthoclase felspar. Clear quartz crystals can be seen scattered throughout the foitite as well.
About Foitite
Foitite is a rare, iron-rich member of the tourmaline mineral group, typically found in granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks. It was first identified in 1993 and named in honor of mineralogist Franklin F. Foit Jr.. Chemically, foitite is distinguished by its high iron and aluminum content along with a deficiency of sodium, which sets it apart from many other tourmalines. The mineral usually appears black to dark bluish-black and forms elongated, prismatic crystals with a vitreous luster. Like other tourmalines, foitite is valued by geologists because its composition can reveal important information about the temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions present during rock formation.
General Chemical Formula - (Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Foitite is a rare, iron-rich member of the tourmaline mineral group, typically found in granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks. It was first identified in 1993 and named in honor of mineralogist Franklin F. Foit Jr.. Chemically, foitite is distinguished by its high iron and aluminum content along with a deficiency of sodium, which sets it apart from many other tourmalines. The mineral usually appears black to dark bluish-black and forms elongated, prismatic crystals with a vitreous luster. Like other tourmalines, foitite is valued by geologists because its composition can reveal important information about the temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions present during rock formation.
General Chemical Formula - (Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
About the Erongo Region of Namibia
The Erongo Region in Namibia is renowned for its diverse and high-quality mineral specimens, particularly gemstones and collector minerals from pegmatites. These popular minerals include fine aquamarine, tourmaline (schorl, elbaite), quartz (smoky, hyalite opal), fluorite, jeremejevite (aluminium borate mineral), and siderite pseudomorphs, alongside significant uranium, gold, salt, granite, and marble deposits, making it a hub for both artisanal and industrial mining.
The Erongo Region in Namibia is renowned for its diverse and high-quality mineral specimens, particularly gemstones and collector minerals from pegmatites. These popular minerals include fine aquamarine, tourmaline (schorl, elbaite), quartz (smoky, hyalite opal), fluorite, jeremejevite (aluminium borate mineral), and siderite pseudomorphs, alongside significant uranium, gold, salt, granite, and marble deposits, making it a hub for both artisanal and industrial mining.
$149
SPECIES
Foitite, Quartz & Orthoclase Feldspar
LOCATION
Erongo Mountains, Erongo Region, Namibia
SIZE
2.5 x 1.6"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#363767
