Gitter Quartz & Hyalite Opal on Microcline (Charlie Key)

Item Description

An impressive large combination specimen from the Erongo Mountains and the Charlie Key dealer stock. Strikingly similar in appearance to the famous Japan Law twins, so-called "Gitter Quartz" is actually not twinned but somehow orients crystal growth to form patterns and symmetrical facing crystals. It is found in the western Erongo Mountains and the nearby Klein Spitzkoppe in Namibia. They can form a dense three-dimensional lattice of crystals, hence the German name "Gitterquarz" ("fence" or "lattice" quartz). This striking example has two opposing sets of smoky quartz crystals aesthetically set on a very large and sharp microcline crystal. Highly fluorescent, white hyalite opal crusts are scattered on piece. The smokies have only trivial termination wear. One of the better large combination examples of this rare form of quartz that we have seen. Aesthetic and most unusual.