QUARTZ CRYSTALS

QUARTZ CRYSTALS

Quartz is derived from the German word QUARZ which means Hard with reference to its hardness which is 7 on the Mohs scale. This hardness makes quartz ideal for any type of jewelry design and is durable enough for everyday wear.

Note, when classifying the hardness, softness or durability of other gemstones, they are often compared to quartz.

Quartz is of a silicon dioxide chemical composition. It comes in various colors from clear to black including colorless. It is transparent to opaque, with a glass-like, waxy to dull luster.

Feldspars and Quartz are the most abundant minerals found on earth’s continental crust.

There are two varieties of quartz: the cryptocrystalline quartz and the macrocrystalline quartz.

The crystal structure of cryptocrystalline quartz is so small that they can only be seen under high magnification. It is usually opaque or translucent in clarity. Cryptocrystalline quartz that intergrows with Moganite is known as Chalcedony. Chalcedony is translucent and is usually white to gray, grayish-blue or a shade of brown ranging from pale to nearly black. Agate, Chrysoprase, Bloodstone, Jasper and Carnelian are all Chalcedony variety of quartz gemstones.

Macrocrystalline quartz is usually transparent to translucent in clarity and comes with large crystals that can be seen by the naked eye.

Color is a primary identifier for the macrocrystalline varieties. Amethyst, Rock Crystal, Blue Quartz, Citrine, Hawk's Eye, Prasiolite, Quartz Cat's Eye, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz and Tiger's Eye all are varieties of macrocrystalline quartz.

Quartz is the most important and versatile minerals in the world. It is relatively inexpensive and come in a wide range of varieties. Besides being used as jewelry and ornamental objects, quartz have very important industrial usages.

Some quartz crystals possess piezoelectric property, which is the ability to generate electric potential when subjected to mechanical stress.

One of the most amazing properties of quartz is the ability of its crystals to vibrate at a precise frequencies. These frequencies are so precise that quartz crystals can be used to make extremely accurate time-keeping instruments and equipment that can transmit radio and television signals with precise and stable frequencies.

These properties make it valuable in electronic products. Televisions, cell phones, personal computers, clocks and watches all contain quartz crystals.

Quartz is also used to make glass. In India, almost half of the quartz consumption is in the glass industry.

One of the important uses of cryptocrystalline quartz is in the making medical incision devices, cutting weapons and sharpening cutting tools.

Quartzes have been used as talismans by ancient Mesopotamians, ancient Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks. Egyptian obelisks are known to have been built with quartz stones inside them to protect citizens and generate energy by harnessing the power of the sun and the heavens above. They also believed the stone could prevent aging. The Romans used rose quartz as a seal to signify ownership.

Quartz is one of the gemstones that is most used in magic and magical rituals. For example, Rock Crystal and Smoky Quartz are used in fashioning the crystal ball. This crystal ball has been used and is still being used by fortune tellers, gypsies, and by powerful psychics to see the future and talk to spirits.

Esoteric schools from antiquity, as well as scholars of the occult in the Middle-Ages said that different quartz represent a specific planet; Neptune is represented by Amethyst; Chalcedony is represented by Saturn; Pluto is represented by Smoky Quartz; Rose Quartz represents Venus; Citrine and Tiger’s Eye represent Mercury.

Quartz has been used in healing since ancient times by shamans, medicine persons and healers. It has been known to cure headaches, eye inflammation, sore throat, heart ailments, pancreas, aching back, varicose veins and toenail diseases.

Quartzes are found all over the world.