$3,783Median
2Sold (12 mo)
$7,500Last sale
Foitite
10 in the gallery
Foitite is a tourmaline variety that forms elongated, prism-covered crystals with a vitreous to resinous luster. It often displays a green to dark color range typical of tourmalines and can occur in batched, columnar habits that catch light along facet edges. Crystals from notable localities exhibit sharp terminations and attractive surface sheen that collectors prize for display and reflection.
- Formula
- □(Fe2+2Al)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3OH
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Cyclosilicate; tourmaline supergroup
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 7–7.5
- Specific gravity
- 3.14–3.17
- Luster
- vitreous
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent, opaque
- Color
- black, brown, blue
- Streak
- white, gray
- Cleavage
- poor
- Fracture
- uneven, subconchoidal
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, acicular, radiating, massive, granular
Where Foitite is found
Top localities
- Ameib Farm 602 specimens
- Erongo Mountains1 specimen
- Oceanview Mine1 specimen
- Paprok1 specimen
About Foitite
Specimens from Namibia, the United States, and Afghanistan are among the most requested by mineral enthusiasts, contributing to Foitite’s reputation within tourmaline groups. Localities in arid or high‑altitude settings yield crystals with strong color zoning and well-formed prisms, making them appealing for identification and aesthetic appreciation. Collectors value clean faces, desirable luster, and the potential for color variation that Foitite can show across separate crystals.
