Home » Beading Definition: Quartz
Quartz
The family name for crystals composed of silicon dioxide occurring in hexagonal crystals. Quartz is the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust and found in nearly all types of rocks. The most common variety is colorless and transparent. This is often referred to as Clear Quartz, Rock Crystal or simply Quartz.
Gemologists recognize two broad categories of quartz, coarsely crystalline and finely (or crypto-, meaning hidden) crystalline.
The course crystalline varieties include: amethyst, ametrine, citrine, rose quartz, and smoky quartz.
There are a variety of crypto-crystalline varieties including agate (chalcedony), onyx, sardonyx, carnelian, sard, chrysoprase, bloodstone, jasper, and prase.
Some interesting facts:
- When placed in an electric field, a quartz crystal oscillates at a constant frequency and is used to control devices which require precise regulation, such as a quartz watch.
- A quartz crystal under pressure generates a weak electrical charge.
BIRTHSTONE: Quartz is an alternate birthstone for the month of April.
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