Quartz stones are divided into two groups: crystalline or visible crystals and cryptocrystalline or hidden crystals, which require a microscope.
In this discussion, we will focus on visible crystal quartz.
Quartz is a naturally occurring mineral with a crystalline structure composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂).
It is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth and can be found in various geological environments. In fact, it is present in almost every type of rock.
Known for its durability and versatility, quartz is widely used as a gem material and falls under the semi-precious category.
With its wide availability, quartz comes in many different forms and colors.
Some popular varieties include rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, smoky quartz, ametrine, jasper, carnelian, and agate.
Quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale (with diamond being a 10), making it very hard and suitable for jewelry making.
Throughout history, quartz has been highly valued for its beauty and durability.
Many cultures have used it extensively in creating intricate jewelry pieces and carvings from this durable stone.
This trend continues today with semi-precious gemstones being created from various types of quartz all over the world.
