Quartz

Color(s) – Colorless, white, purple, pink, brown, black, gray, green, orange, yellow, blue, red and multicolored.
Mohs Scale (Hardness) – 7
Refractive Index – 1.54 - 1.55
Transparency – Transparent to opaque
Luster – Vitreous
Cleavage – Indiscernible, seldomly exhibits parting

Gemstone Overview

Quartz is a compound created from one part silicon and two parts oxygen. Quartz is one of the most common minerals on the planet. It occurs in nearly all environments and is an important element in many other rocks. It occurs in varying forms, habits and colors. Many geodes contain quartz crystals.

Quartz has many uses. Sand, which is tiny particles of Quartz, is a key component to manufacturing glass. The stone also has electronic uses and is utilized in oscillators and pressure gauges, among other things. It's also used in the computer industry as silicon semiconductors are created from quartz. Due to its high hardness, it also has many abrasive uses such as with sand blasting. Quartz was once used to make stone tools in prehistoric times.

Good quality quartz can be found all over the world. Many large and beautiful specimens have been found in Minas Gerais, Brasil. In the United States, it can be found in Arkansas, Colorado, New York and Maine, among other areas.

Quartz Fun Fact: An 8 foot long, 2,000 pound piece of Quartz was uncovered in Arkansas in 2016. It was appraised at 3.5 million dollars.

Notes on Care & Maintenance

Certain types of quartz do require specific care and cleaning routines.

Amethyst should be cleaned with warm water, detergent, and a soft brush. The gem can become faded or cracked when exposed to high temperatures.

Carnelian should be cleaned with a moist cloth and then quickly dried with a dry cloth.

Citrine should be cleaned in warm water, with detergent, and a soft brush. Care should be taken as this particular variety of quartz is known to fade when exposed to heat.

With most quartz, one should follow these simple rules when it comes to cleaning:

• Use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth.  Microfiber cloths are especially good.
• If detergent or water is required, use a diluted mix to avoid soap residue.
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush to clear away grime or dirt from settings.
• Do not soak gemstones.  Some stones are porous and soaking them could cause them to discolor or worse.

Spiritual Properties

Metaphyiscally, Quartz is considered a very important and diverse healing stone.  Quartz is frequently used to cleanse, open, activate, and align all of the chakras.  It also thought to enhance personal awareness and growth. Physically, it is thought that quartz promotes improvement to the circulatory and immune systems, among others. Quartz is thought to promote clearness, awareness and improves one’s perception. 

Varieties

Amethyst, Aqua Aura, Aventurine, Blue Quartz, Cactus Quartz, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Citrine, Faden Quartz, Ferruginous Quartz, Herkimer Diamond, Milky Quartz, Morion, Phantom Quartz, Prase, Praseme, Prasiolite, Rainbow Quartz, Rock Crystal, Rose Quartz, Rutilated Quartz, Scepter Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Star Quartz, Tourmalinated Quartz