Quartz crystals display an extraordinary geometric pattern in nature and symbolize the convergence of all five elements – Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Ether or Spirit – through their hexagonal molecular structures resembling snowflakes. Their exquisite geometric beauty speaks volumes about this interconnection among them all.

Chemically, each silicon and oxygen atom bonds in chains to form the macroscopic quartz crystal structure. Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, vibration and pressure may alter its frequency and change its frequency accordingly.

Origin

Quartz crystal is formed when silica precipitated from fluids that filled pore spaces in rock such as granite and sandstone, where fluids filled voids with silica-rich waters. Silica also occurs as chalcedony, onyx and opal in sedimentary rocks; in tin-rich sandstone and dioritic rocks; as well as limestone and dolostone formations which contain silica that forms flint or chert that primitive man chipped to craft arrowheads from.

Mining operations worldwide produce vast amounts of quartz. Most of the quartz used in optical devices is mined from Brazil; smaller deposits can also be found in the USSR and Guatemala. Most synthetically produced quartz crystal used today is grown using “seeds”, small pieces of crystal placed into solutions rich in silica solution at elevated temperatures in order to grow it into optical devices that meet exact specifications of shape, size and color requirements set by scientists.

Properties

Quartz crystals possess an exceptional property known as piezoelectricity. When mechanical stress or pressure is applied to them, an electric current is generated. This mechanism produces accurate periodic vibrations in watches and other timekeeping devices.

Quartz’s ability to act like an “organic computer” makes it one of the more popular materials used for electronic circuits.

Drusy quartz (or cryptocrystalline quartz) forms nodules and concretionary masses with consistent conchoidal fractures, breaking regularly into nodules and concretionary masses that break consistently along this pattern. It can be either clear or colored and can be found as gems in various places around the world; geodes also fill cavities within dolostone such as along Hwy 72 at Waverly and west of Maiden Rock quarry NW Sec 15 T 25N R 16W (W. S Cordua field notes).

Colors

Quartz crystals come in an assortment of colors and patterns. While their most prevalent form is colorless with a waxy sheen, many forms exhibit more vibrant coloring or textures with distinct characteristics – for instance wand-shaped candle quartz, commonly referred to as pineapple quartz; or Himalayan quartz with natural pinkish-red tones such as Nirvana’s natural pinkish-rose hue.

Other varieties of quartz gemstones include amethyst (the birthstone for February) and citrine; its yellow-brown hue results from minute amounts of iron present within its crystal lattice structure.

Green quartz, also known as Chrysoprase, often contains nickel inclusions that give it its mint or apple green hue. Rutilated quartz features transparent quartz with black rutile crystal inclusions resembling ribbons or straight strands of crystals on its base material; among its other varieties are Ametrine with its mix of amethyst and citrine qualities.

Shapes

Quartz crystals come in various forms. Spirit quartz is one form of smoky quartz with small terminations resembling cacti, used in crystal healing to clear energy blockages.

Gwindel quartz stands out with its distinctive, twisted appearance and is composed of both smoky quartz and hematite, making it easier to manipulate than other types of quartz. As a result, it is frequently used in jewelry and for making flint tools.

Sprouting quartz looks similar to regular milky quartz, with small white daughter crystals sprouting from its prism faces. This specimen came from a pegmatite pocket in Namibia’s Western Erongo Mountains.

Uses

Quartz is one of the most sought-after stones, as many believe that its properties protect against negativity while simultaneously increasing spiritual receptiveness and balancing energy levels in the body.

Quartz is widely used in electronics as it vibrates at precise frequencies, making it suitable for clocks and radio transmitters. Quartz also boasts excellent resistance against acids, corrosion, high temperatures, impact compression as well as acids corrosion and wear-and-tear.

Some of the most frequently found quartz varieties include smoky quartz, amethyst and citrine; their crystals often feature pointed forms that focus and direct energy while breaking up energetic blockages. Other varieties include milky quartz rose quartz and prasiolite (leek green Quartzite with actinolite inclusions). Quartz sand or ground quartz is often used in glassmaking processes or used as filler in glues, putties or paints as well as mild abrasives.