Quartz is also the main constituent of a wide variety of stones that we’ll cover in a moment. It’s commonly used to power watches and in audio sensors, where its unique properties can really shine. Quartz also displays a strong piezoelectric effect due to its structure. These semi-precious clear stones may have dark needle-like inclusions of rutile, which gives it the name rutilated quartz. In pure crystalline form, quartz occurs as clear crystals, known as rock crystal, or just clear quartz. The crystals are also favored among those who believe in the healing power of stones. Clear Quartz Quartz is a hard mineral that consists of many different varieties, including amethyst and citrine. Rock crystal has been used to make everything from sculptures to crystalline plates and bowls. Quartz has a long history of use, and not just as jewelry. Some crystals are double terminated, meaning they have a point on both ends. Quartz crystals are usually hexagonal, with six sides and a terminated point resembling a pyramid. The crystal formations are visible to the naked eye, unlike cryptocrystalline forms of silica like chalcedony or jasper. Quartz is a macrocrystalline form of silicon dioxide(SiO₂ or silica). For many collectors, that’s an important distinction. In other words, it’s wholly synthetic and it really only appeared on the market in the late 1990s.Īnytime you see a “new” variation of quartz available do your research. Instead, these stones have a thin layer of gold or titanium deposited on their surface. It’s a pretty, iridescent piece of quartz but it’s not natural in the slightest. In addition to treated specimens, collectors will also find “mystic quartz” available. Natural stocks of the stuff are low and the vast majority is heat-treated or irradiated to bring in the characteristic olive hue. Other stones are almost always treated, such as prasiolite. In formations like clusters, the stones will often have a “burnt” look to their coloration, with the deep orange even fading into brown at some points. You are probably familiar with the hexagonal shape. Apart from being one of the most prevalent silica minerals on earth, clear quartz is one of the hardest minerals, with a reading of 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Since they’re chemically identical, you usually have to judge based on how the colors look. Clear quartz is a trigonal crystal made of a silicon atom and two oxygen atoms to form silicon dioxide SiO2.

Perfectly clear quartz