The name Quartz was derived from the Slavic word for "hard". A significant component of many igneous, metamorphic & sedimentary rocks. It is one of the most common minerals found on the Earth’s surface & in the Earth's continental crust. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen atom being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula of SiO2.
Quartz occurs in two forms cryptocrystalline (microscopic crystals) such as Chalcedony or Agate & macrocrystalline (crystals visible to the eye) such as Amethyst or Citrine. This natural form of silicon dioxide is found in an impressive range of varieties & colours.
Historically Quartz has been revered by many ancient cultures. The Romans & Greeks used it as a powerful talisman, the Egyptians believed it gave the wearer long life. Indigenous peoples of Australia & Americas used it to induce visions & for shamanic rituals. All cultures have crafted jewellery from various Quartz varieties for thousands of years. One of the oldest known examples discovered in the Mesopotamian region (current day Iraq), was Rose Quartz beads dating back to approximately 7000BC.
Quartz has unique physical properties which have made it a vital component of human industrial evolution starting with flint arrow heads all the way to sophisticated electronic equipment. It is heat resistant & piezoelectric, therefore it accumulates an electric charge when mechanical stress is applied. It oscillates at a perfect, steady vibration a characteristic vital in the development of time pieces & clocks, it is still used today in quality time keeping instruments. In modern day Quartz industrial applications are extensive from various electronic applications such as in diesel injectors, radio transmitters, mobile phones & televisions to glass making & windows. It is also vital in sophisticated optical equipment such as microscopes, telescopes & electronic sensors.Metaphysical Properties
The master healer, one of our most powerful healing & energy amplifiers on the planet because of its unique helical spiral crystalline form. Excellent for identifying, unlocking & releasing blockages. A wonderful enlightenment tool that works on all levels of self-discovery & expansion. Aids memory retention & facilitates the downloading of ancient universal knowledge.
Clear Quartz helps us make the right decision by removing doubt, this clears the mind & allows intuition to shine through. Clear Quartz absorbs, stores, releases & regulates energy this process can be directed & enhanced by the user. Excellent for manifesting into both the physical world & spiritual planes.
Dissolves Karmic seeds & contracts, cleaning away the past to create new life. Enhances psychic abilities & attunes you to your spiritual purpose. Holding Clear Quartz in your hand doubles your bio magnetic field this expands your ability to affect change & surround yourself with positivity. Dispels static energy transforming it into positive growth orientated energy.
Clear Quartz stores information like a natural computer these crystals are a spiritual library full of knowledge waiting to be accessed & integrated into the physical plane. This crystal works to the highest good of all.
Crystal Healing
Master healer excellent for all ailments & brings balance to all.
Mineralogy
Group: Quartz (Silicate-Tectosilicate)
Crystal System: Trigonal
Composition: SiO2
Form/Habit: Prismatic
Hardness: 7
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal
Lustre: Vitreous
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Transparency: Transparent, translucent, opaque
R.I: 1.544 to 1.553
Colour: Colourless, Brown, Black. Green, Pink, Violet, White, Yellow, Orange, Purple
Birefringence: 0.009
Pleochroism: Weakly Dichroic
Fluorescence: None
Causes of Colour:
Violet to purple (amethyst), O2+→Fe4+ charge transfer, due to irradiation.
Blue, inclusions of blue dumortierite or tourmaline.
Green ("greened amethyst" or prasiolite), Fe2+.
Green (aventurine quartz), chromian mica (fuchsite) inclusions.
Yellow to orange (citrine), O2-→Fe3+ charge transfer, various Al3+ related colour centers.
Smokey (smoky quartz), colour center related to the Al3+ impunity.
Pink (rose quartz), charge transfer between a substitutional Ti4+ and an interstitial Ti3+ unstable colour center O- ion bridging between substitutional aluminum and substitutional phosphorus atom; dumortierite inclusions.
White (milky quartz), scattering of light by inclusions larger than the visible wavelength.