Gem Profile- Macrocrystalline Quartz
Summarizing Macrocrystalline Quartz
Within this brief conclusion of macrocrystalline quartz I need to mention a few varieties that I have not yet touched on, such as:
Within this brief conclusion of macrocrystalline quartz I need to mention a few varieties that I have not yet touched on, such as:
Strawberry Quartz
In the late 1950s, vivid strawberry red quartz was discovered in Mexico. This clear quartz contained countless microscopic hematite plates, giving it a red appearance. Many imperfect crystals were used by lapidaries to make cabochons and heart-shaped stones.
A cache of natural strawberry quartz has also been found in Kazakhstan, located between Russia and China. These examples of true strawberry quartz are extremely rare.
Most strawberry quartz on today's market comes from Brazil and Russia and contains inclusions of iron oxides such as lepidocrosite, hematite, or goethite.
This translucent quartz cabochon could be referred to as "strawberry" quartz, due to its many red inclusions.
In the late 1950s, vivid strawberry red quartz was discovered in Mexico. This clear quartz contained countless microscopic hematite plates, giving it a red appearance. Many imperfect crystals were used by lapidaries to make cabochons and heart-shaped stones.
A cache of natural strawberry quartz has also been found in Kazakhstan, located between Russia and China. These examples of true strawberry quartz are extremely rare.
Most strawberry quartz on today's market comes from Brazil and Russia and contains inclusions of iron oxides such as lepidocrosite, hematite, or goethite.
This translucent quartz cabochon could be referred to as "strawberry" quartz, due to its many red inclusions.
Buyer beware! Several years ago, the jewelry supply market was flooded with pink "quartz" labeled as "strawberry." The first pieces were small pink cabochons with red streaks and spots, resembling seeds.
Many rockhounds were puzzled where was this strawberry quartz deposit, and why were so many pieces available at low prices?
A closer look at a larger piece revealed air bubbles, identifying it as glass. Since both quartz and glass are made of silica, vendors labeled the glass as quartz.
Soon after, Cherry, Blueberry, Pineapple, and Kiwi "quartz" appeared. These are grouped as Fruit Quartz. Affordable and colorful, these glass pieces make pretty jewelry for spring and summer.
A variety of fruit quartz, including pineapple, kiwi and cherry surrounded by blueberry briolette beads.
Many rockhounds were puzzled where was this strawberry quartz deposit, and why were so many pieces available at low prices?
A closer look at a larger piece revealed air bubbles, identifying it as glass. Since both quartz and glass are made of silica, vendors labeled the glass as quartz.
Soon after, Cherry, Blueberry, Pineapple, and Kiwi "quartz" appeared. These are grouped as Fruit Quartz. Affordable and colorful, these glass pieces make pretty jewelry for spring and summer.
A variety of fruit quartz, including pineapple, kiwi and cherry surrounded by blueberry briolette beads.
Prase
There seems to be a lot of confusion about what is labeled as "prase" these days.
A transparent naturally leek-green colored silica also known as emerald quartz, prase is extremely rare and can be mistaken for nephrite or jadeite. Modern vendors tend to call any green quartz prase, which has also become a nickname for chrysoprase; a cryptocrystalline quartz I will cover later.
There seems to be a lot of confusion about what is labeled as "prase" these days.
A transparent naturally leek-green colored silica also known as emerald quartz, prase is extremely rare and can be mistaken for nephrite or jadeite. Modern vendors tend to call any green quartz prase, which has also become a nickname for chrysoprase; a cryptocrystalline quartz I will cover later.
Treatments
We've already learned that heat-treating certain varieties of amethyst and smoky quartz produces citrine, irradiated amethyst turns green, and irradiating white quartz can make it smoky. But what about quartz with metallic or seemingly opalized colors?
Macrocrystalline quartz doesn't take dye well, but a special treatment called vapor deposition can transform a dull quartz crystal into a striking, unusual beauty.
In this process, individual quartz crystals or clusters are placed in a vacuum chamber and coated with a thin film of vaporized elements mixed with oxygen. The resulting colors and slightly metallic, aurora borealis effects depend on the element combinations used, along with some of their marketing names.
Aqua Aura, aqua blues: 24k gold
Imperial Gold, golden orange color: 24k gold, copper and titanium
Apple Aura, greens: nickel
Flame Aura, deep, opaque metallic rainbows: niobium and titanium
Opal Aura or Angel Aura, pastel AB: platinum and silver
We've already learned that heat-treating certain varieties of amethyst and smoky quartz produces citrine, irradiated amethyst turns green, and irradiating white quartz can make it smoky. But what about quartz with metallic or seemingly opalized colors?
Macrocrystalline quartz doesn't take dye well, but a special treatment called vapor deposition can transform a dull quartz crystal into a striking, unusual beauty.
In this process, individual quartz crystals or clusters are placed in a vacuum chamber and coated with a thin film of vaporized elements mixed with oxygen. The resulting colors and slightly metallic, aurora borealis effects depend on the element combinations used, along with some of their marketing names.
Flame Aura quartz, vapor coated with a combination of titanium and niobium. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Stands of smoky quartz beads that have been vapor coated. I wonder if the original quartz was white?
Clusters of vapor treated quartz, called "Aqua Aura." Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
Difficult to photograph well, Opal Aura treated quartz is also called Angel Aura.
Of course although beautiful, each of these treated crystals or clusters is said to have special metaphysical powers.
Although I am not personally opposed to the power of natural stones that have history and science to back them up (such as quartz watches and radios) I feel the need to warn you about spending large amounts of money while seeking a special "fix" to normal human challenges.
If it sounds too good to be true...
Although I am not personally opposed to the power of natural stones that have history and science to back them up (such as quartz watches and radios) I feel the need to warn you about spending large amounts of money while seeking a special "fix" to normal human challenges.
If it sounds too good to be true...
Resources
Print Resources:
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-3088-8
Internet Resources:
www.google.com
www.mindat.org
https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/silica/780496.pdf (167kb)
www.wikipedia.org
Print Resources:
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-3088-8
Internet Resources:
www.google.com
www.mindat.org
https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/silica/780496.pdf (167kb)
www.wikipedia.org
Materials
Wire
Beads
Cabochons
Cherry Quartz 10mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-120
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $9.45
- Gold Club Price: $7.09
Blue Green Quartz 7x12mm Faceted Nugget Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-58
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $15.97
- Gold Club Price: $11.98
Rose Quartz 12mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-628
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $11.55
- Gold Club Price: $8.66
Smoky Quartz 10mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-455
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $8.08
- Gold Club Price: $6.06
Smoky Quartz 10x14mm Rectangle Cabochon - Pack of 2
E8-17O
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $6.67
- Gold Club Price: $5.00
Sterling Silver Chain w/Bezelled Golden Rutilated Quartz (12.5x13.3 to 17.5x18.5mm) - 1 Foot
C8-204U
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $23.67
- Gold Club Price: $17.75
WireJewelry Madagascar Stone Mix Rough - Large Natural Gemstones in 1.5 LB Bag
E6-100R
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $21.91
- Gold Club Price: $16.43
Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $170.72
- Gold Club Price: $128.04
Bench Tools
Supply Detail
loading...
Change Metal:
This Article requires:
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
Purchase quantity:
Price: $
Gold Club Price: $
- Category: General Education
- Technique(s): General Education
Dale Armstrong
Other Articles by Dale Armstrong
Getting Twisted - Jewelry Making Tools
How to Price Your Wire Jewelry
How to Measure Gemstones for Settings
Cool Anklets are HOT
Inspiration Comes from Everywhere and Every Thing
Wire Jewelry Display and Booth Ideas
Where to Sell Your Wire Jewelry
How to Choose Wire Temper for Making Jewelry
What Gauge of Wire Should I Use to Make Jewelry
What's a Cubic Zirconia Stone
Rockhounding - A Beginner's Guide
What Shape of Wire Should I Use to Make Jewelry
Gem Profile- Bloodstone
Gem Profile- Picture Jasper
Gem Profile- Patterned Jaspers
Gem Profile- What is Jasper
Gem Profile- Quartz Introduction
Gem Profile- Wishful Turquoise
Gem Profile- Amethyst
Gem Profile- Fluorite
Gem Profile- Obsidian
Gem Profile- Rose Quartz
Gem Profile- Smoky Quartz
Gem Profile- Citrine and Ametrine
Gem Profile- Labradorite
Gem Profile- Rhodochrosite
Gem Profile- Moonstone
Gem Profile- Prehnite
Gem Profile- Jade
Gem Profile- Amazonite
Gem Profile- Corundum
Gem Profile- Quartz with Inclusions Part 1
Gem Profile- Quartz with Inclusions Part 2
Gem Profile- Aventurine
Gem Profile- Tiger Eye
Gem Profile- Fire Agate and Iris Agate
Gem Profile- Amber
Gem Profile- Ruby Zoisite
Gem Profile- Ruby Fuchsite
Gem Profile- Charoite
Gem Profile- Moldavite
Gem Profile- Ammolite
Gem Profile- White Precious Opal
Gem Profile- Opalized Fossils
Gem Profile- Boulder Opal
Gem Profile- Black Precious Opal
Gem Profile- Pyrite
Gem Profile- Opal Introduction
Gem Profile- Beautifully Colored Jasper
Gem Profile- Common Opal
Gem Profile- Lapis Lazuli
Wire Sculpture Expert Dale -Cougar- Armstrong Interview
The premier place for all your jewelry making needs. The best in wire, tools, cabochons, gemstone beads and more. As well as a superior resource for educational support to help build your jewelry making skills and techniques.
Connect With Us
® 2007 - 2026 Wirejewelry.com Powered by ClaimTheWeb Cart