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Tradename(s):
Optical Quartz, Clear Quartz
Family:
Quartz
Description:
Quartz can be found in a variety
of colors, violet (amethyst),
golden yellow (citrine),
pink or peachish (rose
quartz), brown (smoky quartz), green (prasiolite) and
colorless (rock crystal). Quartz is sometimes found with
inclusions of other minerals such as rutile (sagenite, or
rutilated quartz) or tourmaline (tourmalinated quartz), making
them look quite remarkable.
Chalcedony, a micro-crystalline member of the quartz family
consists of a number of stones, namely
agate,
dendritic agate,
fire agate, bloodstone (heliotrope), plasma,
Chrysoprase, prase, fossilized wood,
jasper,
carnelian,
moss agate,
onyx,
sardonyx, and sard.
Hardness:
7
Found:
Most notable localities are
Germany, Brazil, England, and New York and Arkansas/U.S.A.
Healing
Properties:
Quartz crystal is an all purpose
healer.
Astrology:
Gemstone of the February Moon
(Ice Moon). Gemstone of the Winter season.
Chakra:
7th, Crown Center
Feng Shui:
A powerful transmitter. Healing
energy balancer which promotes clarity. Amplifies and directs
thoughts.
Legends and
Folklore:
Ancient people believed that
quartz crystal was petrified ice and it dates back to long
before Christ was born. It is unclear how they name came about
originally. The Greeks used the name "krystallos" for crystal in
all forms but used "acentra" (without a core) for the clear rock
crystal. The Slavic's used the word " "kwardy" (hard). It was
called "quarzum" in Latin. Roman women carried crystal sphere's
to cool themselves in hot weather. The crystal sphere's were
also used to capture sunlight by the Roman armies to cauterize
wounds. It was used to start fires by focusing the sun's rays
through it, which is still tested today in science experiments.
Crafted items have been uncovered in the French and Austrian
Alps in the 1800's indicating uses for the mineral during that
time period. The popularity of burying crystal with the dead has
been practiced over time by some cultures and still is by some
Native Americans. It has been believed that spirits of one dead
lives on in the crystal. Crystal has been used as art objects,
crystal balls, amulets, religious ornaments, and healing stones
for centuries. These uses are still observed today. Crystal is
also used in electronics today because of the piezoelectric
effect serving as a regulator in radios, computers, and clocks. |
