Quartz is the second most common mineral on the face of the Earth with Feldspar taking the top spot. It is found in nearly every geological environment and is at least a component of almost every rock type. It is also the most diverse in terms of varieties, colours and forms because of its abundance and widespread distribution.
Some of the better known varieties of Quartz are:
Rose Quartz - pink in colour and generally transparent to translucent.
Smoky Quartz - brown and transparent, sometimes incorrectly referred to as Smoky Topaz which is misleading since the mineral variety is Quartz and not Topaz.
Tigers Eye - contains brown iron which produces the rich golden yellow colour.
Rock Crystal - a transparent colourless variety.
Lodolite, Rutilated Quartz, Tourmalinated Quartz - some of the better known included varieties but there are hundreds more. Inclusions in Quartz are very common.
The Roman author Pliny the Elder believed Quartz to be permanently frozen ice which he supported by saying it's found near glaciers in the Alps and that large crystals were made into spheres to cool the hands. The Greeks had originally named it 'krystallos', meaning 'frozen' because they too believed these transparent rock crystals were frozen water which had been turned to stone. The finest quality Rock Crystal can have the clarity and shimmer of water although large flawless specimens are not particularly common hence why modern crystal balls are made of glass.
Generally transparent varieties of Quartz are most valuable when they lack inclusions, however a few varieties such as Rutilated Quartz, are valuable because of their inclusions.
Quartz was the first crystal to be used in radio transmission and reception and was essential in the development of computers. Australian tribes used it rain-making ceremonies and Native American Indians used it for arrowheads, knives, divining stones and ornaments. Some West African tribes created ceremonial seats from a single piece of Quartz and the early inhabitants of Great Britain used it for its curative powers to purify water and cure sterility.
Around 2.5 million years ago in the Omo valley in Ethiopia, some of the earliest primitive stone tools such as axes were made of Quartzites. These materials were used because of their hardness and isotropic brittleness which made it possible to shape the tools with relative ease.
Because of its abundance worldwide, this gemstone is frequently mentioned in ancient myths. Persian folklore says that placing a gem on a baby will ensure intake of mother's milk.
In crystal healing it is known as the power stone due to its energetic qualities and the ability to amplify subtle energies. It is said to enhance thoughts as they too are a form of energy. Due to its ability to balance, it is excellent for harmonizing and balancing one's own environment and is also good for energizing other crystals. A gemstone of clarity which dispels negativity and clears away negative energy, it is powerfully protective. It enhances spiritual growth, spirituality and wisdom and because it clarifies thought processes and emotions, it also increases inspiration and creativity. It can help with concentration, studying and retaining what is learnt and has been used historically to detect poisons in food and to draw out pain.
Quartz is graded 7 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness
Further reading:
Quartz
Quartz
Quartz
Our collection of Quartz jewellery
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