Quartz Stone

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Quartz is the godfather of the gemstones world that has been used since prehistoric times. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth’s crust. It has got the largest family and can be found in an amazing variety of colours and varieties.

Introduction

You will find quartz stone is abundance in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It is extremely resistant to mechanical and chemical weathering. Pure quartz creates colourless and transparent crystals with glass-like lustre. Quartz is famous for excellent crystals it forms in all kinds of cavities and fissures. There are two main types of gem-quality quartz. One is Macrocrystalline Quartz that is coarsely crystalline so its formations can be seen by the naked eye. The stones range from translucent to transparent and come in a wide variety of colours, like purple-violet of the amethyst and the golden yellow of citrine. Other is Microcrystalline Quartz that is smaller in size and is also known as grainy quartz or chalcedony quartz. The gems are usually opaque or translucent, and they’re formed from microscopic crystals that are invisible to the naked eye. Know more about this spectacular stone with these interesting details.

Origin and Supply of Quartz

Most prominent varieties of different shapes and colours of quartz crystals are found in hydrothermal ore veins and deposits. Large crystals originate from hot brines in huge fissures, silica-rich fluids in cavities in pegmatites, silica in Alpine-type fissures, and cavities of volcanic rocks. Well-formed quartz crystals are found in septarian nodules and also in dismissal pockets in limestones. China, Japan, and Russia are the world’s main producers of quartz. Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, France, Germany, South Africa, and the United Kingdom also mine significant quantities of the quartz stone.

How is Quartz Mined?

Best place to mine extract Quartz crystals in Arkansas mines. Quartz is mined from open-pit mines. Miners use bulldozers and backhoes to separate soil and clay and reveal the quartz crystal veins in the rock. Miners use explosives on rare events when they need to expose a deep joint of quartz. Mines in the Mt. Ida area, and around the city of Hot Springs allow anyone interested in finding quartz to find quartz stones.

Properties of Quartz

Quartz has a combination of certain electrical or optical properties with great physical strength and chemical resistance. Quartz crystals have piezoelectric properties that allow it to develop an electric potential upon the application of mechanical stress. The vibration frequency of the crystal is used to generate an electrical signal of very precise frequency. Quartz is a technically important material that is valued for the combination of certain electrical or optical properties with a great physical strength and chemical resistance.

1. Colour

Quartz can be found in many different colours. In its purest form, it is of transparent or white colour, but various impurities within the atomic lattice cause the colour to change to purple, pink, brown, black, grey, green, orange, yellow, blue, or red. The main crystalline Quartz varieties used as gemstones are:

Amethyst, the purple variety, is the most famous and valuable variety of Quartz stone. Amethyst ranges from light to dark purple.

This variety of quartz comes in a yellow, orange, or reddish-brown colour. Light yellow or lemon yellow citrine is often called Lemon Quartz in the gem trade.

Smoky Quartz is the brown "smoky" version of Quartz. It varies in colour from light brown to black. This stone is more of a lustrous kind then being opaque.

This type of quartz has got the beauty of rosy pink colour and known as Rose Quartz. Its colour is normally soft, varying from very light pink to medium pink in depth. Rose Quartz is often milky or opaque.

This variety of quartz is colourless, transparent and free of any impurities. Flawless and very large cuts are usually cut from Rock Crystal.

Milky Quartz is the white, translucent to opaque variety of Quartz. Though very common in nature, it is not used as a gemstone.

This colourless Quartz with golden yellow Rutile inclusions within the gemstone.

This beautiful variety of quartz is an interesting, colour-zoned combination of purple Amethyst and brownish-yellow Citrine.

This variety of quartz is artificially coloured by heat treatment of certain types of Amethyst.

Blue Quartz is clear rock crystal is illuminated with gold to form a deep sky blue colour. Blue Quartz can also refer to a dull greyish-blue Quartz.

This colourless variety of quartz with Tourmaline inclusions comes as thin long black crystals.

This variety if Quartz with dense and tiny Rutile inclusions cause a cat's eye effect. Cat's Eye Quartz is usually greyish in colour and translucent.

2. Lustre

Quartz has a glassy lustre, which means that it combines with light in the same way that glass does. Transparent quartz stones tend to be macrocrystalline and the different crystals can be seen with the human eye. However, translucent and opaque stones are cryptocrystalline, and the crystals are only through a microscope.

Uses of Quartz

Quartz crystals are used in electronics to transfer mechanical energy into an electrical sign or digital electrical signal into mechanical movement. They have a piezoelectric property that is widely used in electronics. Radios, Microphones, robotics, timers, clocks, buzzers, watches, and many more electronic components and devices use quartz crystals.

Healing Properties of Quartz

Clear Quartz is the most popular healing stone of all the crystals.

It is the most powerful healing stone that is known as the stone of power and said to amplify any energy or intention. It is said to protect against negativity, connecting you to your higher self. It is said to be especially helpful for activating the crown chakra that controls how we think about and perceives situations. Quartz can help open up the mind and alleviate negative perspectives. Healer claim that Clear Quartz intensifies psychic abilities. They maintain that it aids concentration and unlocks memory. They also believe that it stimulates the immune system and brings the body into balance.

This stone is worn in rings, pendants, earrings, and more. Quartz stone is a charmer, healers say. Clear quartz has believed to display the capacity to absorb, store, release and regulate energy. It is also said to resonate with all of the chakras as well as each Zodiac sign. Healers say that it heightens spiritual growth, spirituality, awareness, and wisdom and also increases inspiration and creativity. It can also help with concentration, studying, and retaining what one learns. Quartz is a stone of harmony and is helpful in romantic relationships. Quartz can balance and revitalise the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes. It can work as a catalyst, helping a deep soul cleansing, connecting the physical self with the mind.

What to Remember While Buying Quartz?

If you’re going out to buy quartz stone, then there are some helpful tips that you can heed attention to. These will assist you in buying an exceptional piece for the right value:

• You must check the temperature and weight of the quartz with your bare hands. If the stone is heavier than a similarly sized piece of plastic, it is probably of relatively high quality.
• Check the surface temperature of the quartz is before handling it. Good-quality quartz is cool to the touch, like glass, while a piece of plastic that resembles quartz will feel warm or room temperature to the touch.
• Examine the colour of quartz is very important. Natural quartz has irregular striations and colour distribution.
• Check the quartz for cracks and fissures as it is more valuable when it is completely intact. The interior body of the stone shows a glossy and colourful surface
• Use a magnifying glass to get a close-up look at the quartz stone. The surface should be streaked with white and show naturally occurring irregularities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Quartz

Here are some of the most asked questions about quartz stone and their answers:

What is the meaning of Quartz?

Quartz crystal is a power stone that is considered as a healing stone. It is known as the most powerful healing stone of the minerals. It's called the "Universal Crystal" because of its many uses and helps manifest, healing, meditation, protection and channelling.

What are the benefits of wearing quartz?

It is believed to stimulate brain function, making it active and alert in all levels of consciousness. Quartz has also been used to treat headaches, migraines, and vertigo, as well as improving general energy for people suffering from lethargy by healers. Wearing a quartz crystal is said to help to maintain clarity of the mind, helping you to remain focused and clear about bringing your dreams to reality.

Is quartz valuable?

Quartz is more valuable when it is completely intact. Though, a piece of naturally occurring quartz of unusual colour and patterns is more expensive than the clear ones. But as this stone is found in abundance, it is not very much expensive.

Does quartz scratch easily?

No, Quartz is nearly indestructible and has impressive flexural strength compared to natural stone. Quartz is highly scratch-resistant, but it can and does scratch.

How do you clean quartz stone?

Cleaning of the stone requires a liquid soap solution and soak the stone in warm soapy water overnight. Gently wipe the grime from it using a soft washcloth and let it air dry.

Does quartz fade in the Sun?

Yes, quartz stone gets faded in the sun. Do not leave your clear quartz out in the sun for more than 2 hours. Dark coloured quartz easily loses its colour within a few minutes of midday sun exposure!

Is quartz treated artificially?

Not all varieties of quartz are naturally occurring. Some clear quartz crystals can be treated using heat or gamma-irradiation to induce colours that don't occur naturally.

What quartz variety is the most valuable?

Quartz stone comes in many varieties, but its beautiful purple-coloured Amethyst stone, is the most popular and valuable Quartz gemstone. Amethyst ranges from light to dark purple.

Facts About Quartz

• Quartz is a widely distributed mineral.
• It is composed of silicon and oxygen atoms.
• Quartz is the second most abundant and widely distributed mineral found at Earth‘s surface, behind feldspar.
• It is found in all forms of rock: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary.
• Quartz can be found in many shapes, sizes and colours.
• Pure quartz is colourless, transparent or translucent, and often used for hardstone carvings
• Common coloured varieties include citrine, rose quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, milky quartz, and others.
• Quartz crystals are widely used in electronics, radios, microphones, robotics, timers, clocks, buzzers, watches, and many electronic components and devices.
• Quartz crystals were used by different cultures as medicine as healing stones or energy stones
• Quartz is commonly used in spiritual practices.
• People believe quartz has magical powers and can promote growth in a garden or to attract certain energies into the home.
• Ancient Roman, Egyptian, and Greek civilizations used quartz crystals as potent talismans. The Romans used rose quartz as a seal to signify ownership, and Egyptians believed the stone could prevent ageing.