The gemstone quartz

Quartz is one of the most common minerals on earth, and its varied colors produces many gemstone types. Amethyst and Citrine are the most popular gem varieties, but the other forms are also used as minor gemstones. Because of their popularity, Amethyst and Citrine have their own dedicated pages in this guide with more detailed information. Chalcedony describes any Quartz that is microcrystalline, without any visible crystals. Chalcedony also has several varieties used as gemstones, most notably Agate, Carnelian, Tiger's Eye, and Chrysoprase. These gemstones are also described on a separate page.

Pure Quartz, which is known as Rock Crystal, is colorless. Various impurities are responsible for the range of colors. The specific Quartz varieties are described below.

Amethyst
The purple variety, is the most popular and valuable Quartz gemstone. (See the Amethyst gemstone page for more details.) Tumbled Amethyst with white Milky Quartz is sometimes known as Amethyst Quartz.

Citrine
Citrine is the yellow, orange, or reddish-brown variety of Quartz. It is usually colored by heat-treatment of Amethyst or Smoky Quartz. (See the Citrine gemstone page for more details.) Light yellow Citrine, which is often naturally colored, may also be called Lemon Quartz in the gem trade.

Rose Quartz
The rosy pink variety of Quartz is known as Rose Quartz, and its color is usually soft, ranging from very light pink to medium pink in intensity. Rose Quartz is often milky or hazy, and it may lack good transparency. Cat's eye Rose Quartz occurs but is a rarity. Certain forms of Rose Quartz may fade upon repeated prolonged exposure to strong lighting.

Smoky Quartz
Smoky Quartz is the brown "smoky" variety of Quartz. It ranges in color from light brown to black. Smoky Quartz has recently increased in popularity in the gemstone trade. The very dark, almost opaque form is sometimes called Morion. Cairngorm is a synonym of Smoky Quartz, and may also be specifically attributed to Smoky Quartz originating from the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland.

Rock Crystal
The colorless, transparent variety of Quartz, free of impurities is called "Rock Crystal. Flawless and very large cuts are formed from Rock Crystal.

Milky Quartz
Milky Quartz is the white, translucent to opaque variety. Not commonly used as a gemstone.

Rutilated Quartz
Colorless Quartz with golden yellow Rutile inclusions that are hairlike growths within the gemstone are known as Rutilated Quartz.

Ametrine
A rare variety combining Amethyst and Citrine in a single gemstone. (See the Ametrine gemstone page for more details.)

Prasiolite / Green Quartz
Prasiolite or Green Quartz describes a light green Quartz artificially colored by heat-treating certain types of Amethyst. May also be called Green Amethyst by some jewelers.

Blue Quartz
The blue variety of Quartz, which is very uncommon in nature and rarely cut as gems. Most "Blue Quartz" is clear Rock Crystal irradiated with gold to from a deep sky blue color. Blue Quartz may also refer to a dull grayish-blue Quartz in massive form with Crocidolite inclusions.

Tourmalinated Quartz
Colorless Quartz with Tourmaline inclusions, often as thin long black crystals, is called "Tourmalinated Quartz".

Cat's Eye Quartz
Quartz with dense, tiny Rutile inclusions that cause a cat's eye light effect. Cat's Eye Quartz is not common, and the chatoyant effect is usually weak. Cat's Eye Quartz is usually grayish in color and translucent.

USES
All forms of Quartz are used as gemstones, and they are all very affordable. Rock Crystal, Rose Quartz, and Smoky Quartz are sometimes cut as cabochons or hearts, and may also be tumbled for use in bracelets and necklaces and as costume jewelery. Large spheres and carvings are also cut from all Quartz forms. Besides for Amethyst, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, and Rose Quartz, the other Quartz forms are rarely faceted into gemstone cuts. Due to its abundance and lack of luster, Rock Crystal is not commonly cut into gemstones, although some very large spheres and sculptures are carved from it. Uncut natural crystals of Rock Crystal are sometime worn as pendants.

QUARTZ SOURCES
Quartz is extremely common and is found throughout the world. Its sources are far too numerous to mention, especially Rock Crystal. However, we will still mention a few well-known occurrences.

The chief source of Rose Quartz is Brazil, Madagascar, and South Africa. Other sources are India, and the United States (Maine). Smoky Quartz: Brazil, Argentina, Switzerland, Italy, Malawi, Namibia, Australia, United States (Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, Maine, and New Hampshire). Rutilated Quartz and Tourmalinated Quartz are found chiefly in Brazil.

SIMILAR GEMSTONES
Rock crystal is similar to glass, but the softness of glass usually lends it to scratches and soft etches which will not be present on Rock Crystal. Rock Crystal is rarely cut into small facets, so it usually is not a concern of confusion to other colorless gems such as Diamond, White Topaz, and White Sapphire. Rock Crystal is basically the only colorless natural gemstone cut into huge facets, ornaments, and sculptures.

Rose Quartz is similar to Kunzite, but is often cloudier and lacks the dichroism present on Kunzite. Pink Tourmaline and Pink Spinel are usually more intensely colored and are usually more transparent.

Black Smoky Quartz my resemble other black gemstones such as Schorl Tourmaline and Melanite Garnet, but it is unique that it is translucent in light even as black stones. Lighter colored Smoky Quartz is very distinct, as are Rutilated Quartz, Tourmalinated Quartz, and Blue Quartz. Prasiolite may resemble Peridot.

For fine Quartz, visit:

ALSO SEE
The mineral Quartz
The gemstone Amethyst
The gemstone Citrine

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