Minerals:  Quartz, Iron, Tourmaline, Feldspar, Hyalite Opal
Locality: Erongo Mountains, Erongo Region, Namibia
Dimensions: 135mm x 55mm x 55mm (approx)
Weight: 471g
Provenance: ex. Mala Haslem Collection

Here is a spectacular old stock quartz from the Erongo Mountains, acquired in 2022 and unlike anything else we've handled from the locality since. The crystal is substantial in hand, with a strongly tapered form and an extraordinary iron rich patina that gives the surface a complex mix of ochre and rust shades.

The quartz itself is heavily textured, with wrinkled, stepped growth across the column faces and countless fine pinprick surface features that become more prominent under closer inspection. Small areas of dendritic iron growth can also be seen near the inclusions towards the base.

The lower section is especially complex, with fine black tourmaline needles and pale feldspar penetrating around the base of the crystal. These associations sit directly against the iron stained quartz and add another layer of detail whilst integrating seamlessly into the overall form. Small areas of hyalite opal are also present around the termination and fluoresce bright green under UV light.

This came from one particular find, and we haven't seen another example with the same combination of scale, surface texture, iron patina and associated minerals since. It remains one of the most distinctive Erongo quartz specimens we've ever handled.