Gem Profile- Quartz Introduction
Quartz Introduction, first in a Series on Quartz
Quartz divides into two main types: cryptocrystalline (microcrystalline) and macrocrystalline.
Cryptocrystalline quartz forms with microscopic crystal structure.
This group includes the agate family.
It covers all chalcedony varieties like carnelian, chrysocolla, chrysoprase, and sard.
Chert, flint, all jaspers, and quartz pseudomorphs like petrified wood also belong here.
A petrified tree branch covered with massive smoky quartz crystals in Dale's "rock" garden.
That day was rainy, but in the sun this specimen sparkles like crazy!
Cryptocrystalline quartz forms with microscopic crystal structure.
This group includes the agate family.
It covers all chalcedony varieties like carnelian, chrysocolla, chrysoprase, and sard.
Chert, flint, all jaspers, and quartz pseudomorphs like petrified wood also belong here.
A petrified tree branch covered with massive smoky quartz crystals in Dale's "rock" garden.
That day was rainy, but in the sun this specimen sparkles like crazy!
Macrocrystalline quartz features crystals visible to the naked eye.
It includes amethyst, citrine, smoky, rose quartz, prase, rock crystal, ametrine, tiger eye, hawk eye, aventurine, and ferruginous quartz.
Future articles will cover each variety with handy facts for selling wire jewelry designs.
They'll also explore quartz inclusions, heat treatments, and other enhancements for these gorgeous gemstones.
Smoky inclusions in water clear quartz from Mt. Ida, Arkansas. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
It includes amethyst, citrine, smoky, rose quartz, prase, rock crystal, ametrine, tiger eye, hawk eye, aventurine, and ferruginous quartz.
Future articles will cover each variety with handy facts for selling wire jewelry designs.
They'll also explore quartz inclusions, heat treatments, and other enhancements for these gorgeous gemstones.
Smoky inclusions in water clear quartz from Mt. Ida, Arkansas. Private collection, Dale Armstrong.
What's in a name?
Researching quartz name origins mixes my knowledge with fascinating finds.
The best paper reveals it's a mystery for Earth's most common mineral.
Ancient texts just called it "crystal," meaning "ice."
Early Greeks saw it as permanently frozen icy rock.
In 1505, Saxon silver-miners (now Italy) named white rock with silver veins "quertz" short for "querkluftertz" (cross-vein-ore).
A 1530 English translation of an Italian mineralogy book set our modern spelling.
(You can read this most interesting paper for yourself: 'On the origin of the name 'quartz' (PDF download link) by S.I. Tomkeieff, 1941.)
Susan Hironaka wire wrapped this quartz crystal in gold wire and pearls with Dale's "Lock that Rock" pattern.
Researching quartz name origins mixes my knowledge with fascinating finds.
The best paper reveals it's a mystery for Earth's most common mineral.
Ancient texts just called it "crystal," meaning "ice."
Early Greeks saw it as permanently frozen icy rock.
In 1505, Saxon silver-miners (now Italy) named white rock with silver veins "quertz" short for "querkluftertz" (cross-vein-ore).
A 1530 English translation of an Italian mineralogy book set our modern spelling.
(You can read this most interesting paper for yourself: 'On the origin of the name 'quartz' (PDF download link) by S.I. Tomkeieff, 1941.)
Susan Hironaka wire wrapped this quartz crystal in gold wire and pearls with Dale's "Lock that Rock" pattern.
Quartz is silicon dioxide (silica) with Mohs hardness of 7.
This abundant lapidary material appears worldwide in all clarity levels, from transparent to opaque.
It's the most recognizable crystal and a key building block in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Physically and chemically erosion-resistant, quartz forms white-to-clear sand grains weathered from rocks like granite.
Like glass (made from silica), it shows conchoidal fracture and glassy luster.
A nice specimen of water clear rock crystals found by Dale at Fiddler's Ridge in Arkansas
This abundant lapidary material appears worldwide in all clarity levels, from transparent to opaque.
It's the most recognizable crystal and a key building block in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Physically and chemically erosion-resistant, quartz forms white-to-clear sand grains weathered from rocks like granite.
Like glass (made from silica), it shows conchoidal fracture and glassy luster.
A nice specimen of water clear rock crystals found by Dale at Fiddler's Ridge in Arkansas
Quartz and a Few Varieties
Pure, colorless quartz is known as rock crystal, mountain crystal, or water quartz.
This confirms ancient Greeks' "frozen rock" idea.
Near other minerals or elements like manganese, iron, nickel, chromium, or copper, quartz takes on different colors.
(Upcoming articles explore these colorful varieties.)
Irisha Patterson wire wrapped this dyed blue quartz cabochon into a pendant, adding a harness of blue lapis beads across the face of the pendant.
Pure, colorless quartz is known as rock crystal, mountain crystal, or water quartz.
This confirms ancient Greeks' "frozen rock" idea.
Near other minerals or elements like manganese, iron, nickel, chromium, or copper, quartz takes on different colors.
(Upcoming articles explore these colorful varieties.)
Irisha Patterson wire wrapped this dyed blue quartz cabochon into a pendant, adding a harness of blue lapis beads across the face of the pendant.
Quartz forms an amazing variety of crystal shapes.
The best example: this plate of crystals my family and I dug in Arkansas.
From the top, you see crystals growing on both sides of the matrix rock.
That rock sat in the middle of two gas pockets.
The best example: this plate of crystals my family and I dug in Arkansas.
From the top, you see crystals growing on both sides of the matrix rock.
That rock sat in the middle of two gas pockets.
Now look at one side where both the quartz vein and the crystals are milky in color
While the other side of the plate is covered in about 8 different crystal shapes, that all grew in the same pocket; and are golden colored due to being stained by the iron rich clay that filled in around the crystals.
Another example of unusual quartz crystal growth.
Called cactus, pineapple, or spirit quartz.
Larger crystals covered in smaller ones that grew later.
Found near Pretoria, South Africa.
This natural amethyst specimen has citrine accents like Mother Nature planned the design!
Called cactus, pineapple, or spirit quartz.
Larger crystals covered in smaller ones that grew later.
Found near Pretoria, South Africa.
This natural amethyst specimen has citrine accents like Mother Nature planned the design!
Many quartz crystal forms get names from their resemblance.
Artichoke quartz: smaller flat crystals sprout on top of a main crystal, points up and away like the vegetable; also called "sprouting" quartz.
Crocodile or alligator quartz: massive growth with smaller triangular crystals parallel on a main one, mimicking alligator hide; metaphysically called "elestial" quartz.
Not sure if this New Hampshire pegmatite vein specimen qualifies as "alligator" or "artichoke."
Artichoke quartz: smaller flat crystals sprout on top of a main crystal, points up and away like the vegetable; also called "sprouting" quartz.
Crocodile or alligator quartz: massive growth with smaller triangular crystals parallel on a main one, mimicking alligator hide; metaphysically called "elestial" quartz.
Not sure if this New Hampshire pegmatite vein specimen qualifies as "alligator" or "artichoke."
Quartz use dates to human dawn.
Sharp conchoidal fracture made it ideal for early weapons and tools.
Archaeological digs worldwide show it as valuable trade material.
In early 1900s, discovered pyroelectrical and piezoelectric properties fueled WWII "crystal" radios for plane communication.
Today, quartz builds wave stabilizers, pressure gauges, lasers, watch faces, glass, paints, concrete, abrasives, electronic chips, specialty lenses, and black lights.
Flawless synthetic quartz leverages double refractive property in computers, capacitors, and space stations.
This quartz cabochon was wrapped in purple craft wire by Carol Roskey.
This wire wrapped quartz pendant by Sally Wooten has a dyed green quartz cabochon, wrapped in gold filled wire and adorned with Swarovski crystal beads.
Sharp conchoidal fracture made it ideal for early weapons and tools.
Archaeological digs worldwide show it as valuable trade material.
In early 1900s, discovered pyroelectrical and piezoelectric properties fueled WWII "crystal" radios for plane communication.
Today, quartz builds wave stabilizers, pressure gauges, lasers, watch faces, glass, paints, concrete, abrasives, electronic chips, specialty lenses, and black lights.
Flawless synthetic quartz leverages double refractive property in computers, capacitors, and space stations.
This quartz cabochon was wrapped in purple craft wire by Carol Roskey.
This wire wrapped quartz pendant by Sally Wooten has a dyed green quartz cabochon, wrapped in gold filled wire and adorned with Swarovski crystal beads.
Quartz varieties seem endless worldwide.
Arkansas, USA, stands out: its crystals from Earth's deepest parts are purest with top properties.
Brazil heavily mines fine gem-quality quartz.
AAA grade gets faceted, carved, or treated for jewelry.
This Brazilian-carved 10-inch tall eagle uses several quartzes: pale citrine body, rose quartz head/tail, carnelian eyes, aventurine beak.
Private collection, Charlie Armstrong.
Arkansas, USA, stands out: its crystals from Earth's deepest parts are purest with top properties.
Brazil heavily mines fine gem-quality quartz.
AAA grade gets faceted, carved, or treated for jewelry.
This Brazilian-carved 10-inch tall eagle uses several quartzes: pale citrine body, rose quartz head/tail, carnelian eyes, aventurine beak.
Private collection, Charlie Armstrong.
More Quartz Lore and Legend
Quartz lore and stories seem endless.
Native American legend across North, Central, and South America tells of 13 crystal skulls holding humanity's history and knowledge.
Each skull type and color carries unique metaphysical meanings, covered in future articles.
With 2012 prophecies speculated, explore the legend at World Mysteries - Crystal Skulls.
Quartz crystal wire wrapped by Jackie Morris with crystal beads in a silver pendant.
Quartz lore and stories seem endless.
Native American legend across North, Central, and South America tells of 13 crystal skulls holding humanity's history and knowledge.
Each skull type and color carries unique metaphysical meanings, covered in future articles.
With 2012 prophecies speculated, explore the legend at World Mysteries - Crystal Skulls.
Quartz crystal wire wrapped by Jackie Morris with crystal beads in a silver pendant.
Next week, Part 2 of this Quartz Series will touch on transparent to translucent quartz gemstones that are "macrocrystalline", or crystals that are visible to the naked human eye.
These include: amethyst, citrine, smoky, rose quartz, prase (not chrysoprase), rock crystal, and ametrine.
Resources
Print Resources:
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Curzio Cipriani and Alessandro Borelli, ISBN 0-671-60430-9
Internet Resources:
www.thefreedictionary.com/
rruff.info/ (download link)
www.wikipedia.org
www.world-mysteries.com
These include: amethyst, citrine, smoky, rose quartz, prase (not chrysoprase), rock crystal, and ametrine.
Resources
Print Resources:
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, ISBN 0-394-50269-8
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Curzio Cipriani and Alessandro Borelli, ISBN 0-671-60430-9
Internet Resources:
www.thefreedictionary.com/
rruff.info/ (download link)
www.wikipedia.org
www.world-mysteries.com
Materials
Wire
13 Piece Cherry Quartz Collar Set - Pack of 1
A2-1999D
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13 Piece Rose Quartz Collar Set - Pack of 1
A2-1995R
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- Price: $3.57
- Gold Club Price: $2.68
13 Piece Snow Quartz Collar Set - Pack of 1
A2-1999G
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- Price: $3.57
- Gold Club Price: $2.68
18x13mm Snow Quartz Oval Cabochon - Pack of 1
E7-247E
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
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- Price: $1.04
- Gold Club Price: $0.78
Blue Green Quartz 7x12mm Faceted Nugget Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-58
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- Price: $15.97
- Gold Club Price: $11.98
Cherry Quartz 10x14mm Oval Cabochon - Pack of 2
E8-18B
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- Gold Club Price: $3.96
Cherry Quartz 13x18mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-125
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- Price: $9.47
- Gold Club Price: $7.10
Rose Quartz 4mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-629
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- Price: $7.35
- Gold Club Price: $5.51
Rose Quartz 8mm Round Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-631
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
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- Price: $9.45
- Gold Club Price: $7.09
Smoky Quartz 10x14mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-456
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
- Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
- Price: $9.97
- Gold Club Price: $7.48
Smoky Quartz 10mm Round Cabochon - Pack of 2
E8-17H
- Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
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- Price: $6.67
- Gold Club Price: $5.00
Smoky Quartz 30x40mm Oval Beads - 8 Inch Strand
A1-460
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- Price: $17.97
- Gold Club Price: $13.48
Sterling Silver Chain w/Bezelled Golden Rutilated Quartz (12.5x13.3 to 17.5x18.5mm) - 1 Foot
C8-204U
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- Gold Club Price: $17.75
WireJewelry Petrified Wood Rough - Large Natural Gemstones in 1.5 LB Bag
E6-108R
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WireJewelry 11 lbs of Bulk Rough Petrified Wood Stone - Large Natural Rough Stone and Crystals for Tumbling
E6-1108R
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Quartz beads
Quartz Cabochons
Tools
WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
- G15-20
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- Category: General Education
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Dale Armstrong
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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
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Gem Profile- Macrocrystalline Quartz
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