Fused quartz from the Zoloto Trade House disappointed the Khabarovsk resident

Varieties and colors of quartz

It's amazing how the same mineral forms so many varieties on Earth. Formula quartz - SiO2. A large group of stones of different colors has this composition. The origin of quartz is associated with the crystallization of magma, volcanism, hydrothermal and sedimentary processes on Earth.

If people asked what quartz looked like 200 years ago, they usually described a colorless transparent crystal. Researchers later found out that colorless rock crystal, purple amethyst and yellow citrine have a similar composition and originated from the same parent rock. The differences are explained by the ability of minerals to absorb various impurities.

Varieties of crystal structure

Rock quartz or rock crystal is an absolutely transparent stone, has no color. White or milky varieties are also composed of silicon oxide. Lack of transparency is due to bubbles and cracks.

Painted transparent and translucent varieties:

• amethyst is a precious stone of purple, pink-red color with a lilac tint;
• rauchtopaz or smoky crystal - light gray, smoky brown, golden brown stone;
• morion or black crystal is a type of rauchtopaz quartz of resin-black or dark brown color;
• hairy - a transparent stone with inclusions in the form of needles, hairs, thin columns;
• citrine - orange, golden brown, lemon yellow quartz;
• ametrine is a rare variety of golden lilac color;
• Prasiolite is another greenish-gray mineral that is rare in nature;
• rose quartz is light pink in color.

By the way! The cost of stones depends on the size, purity, and distribution in the earth’s crust. Rare and beautiful are the most valuable.

Transparency, which affects the value of crystals, depends on inclusions. The purple or other color of quartz is due to metal ions and exposure to ionizing radiation. Green color is given by chrome, yellow and reddish by iron, pink by manganese, smoky by aluminum.

Stones of cryptocrystalline structure

These are translucent and opaque minerals belonging to the chalcedony group. Unprocessed cryptocrystalline quartz stone , for example, agate, looks much more beautiful after polishing. The value depends on the depth of color, the originality of the design, the possibility of processing, and the talent of the stone craftsman.

Cryptocrystalline types of quartz:

• cat's eye - white, pinkish, gray stones with a characteristic “cat's eye” effect;
• hairy - transparent crystals with thin yellowish or white “hairs”;
• tiger's eye is a golden-brown mineral with a characteristic light tint;
• chalcedony is a translucent, blue, greenish or other colored stone;
• flint - gray, light brown, visible in thin edges;
• onyx - brown, red-brown, honey, white with stripes;
• aventurine is a green mineral with inclusions in the form of “sparks”;
• heliotrope - dark green with bright red spots and stripes;
• hawk's eye - bluish-gray, with a light tint effect;
• carnelian - pure orange, reddish or pinkish;
• agate is a layered-striped variety;
• prazem - green.

Ice quartz, quartzite and jasper consist almost entirely of SiO2. These are dense, strong and durable rocks. They contain 80–95% quartz. Quartzite is difficult to process; jasper and jasper agates are of interest as ornamental materials.

Precious and semi-precious stones

The question, “Is Quartz a mineral or a rock?” can take the average person by surprise. For example, a variety of rock crystal is a mineral, aventurine is a rock. Even more controversy arises over the classification of gemstones.

Important! The hardest varieties of the mineral, which acquire a strong shine after processing, are valuable.

Noble opal of a milky white color with a play of colors is a precious, ordinary opal without a play of colors is a semi-precious stone. There is disagreement about rauchtopaz. According to one classification, it is a precious stone, according to another, it is a semi-precious ornamental stone, belonging to the first order.

Transparent amethyst is semi-precious, opaque is a valuable decorative and ornamental stone. Deposits of ametrine and prasiolite have already been exhausted. In the jewelry market, irradiated amethyst is sold under these names.

Other semi-precious stones used in jewelry:

• rhinestone;
• rose quartz;
• hairy;
• citrine;
• agate;
• beautifully colored jasper.

Aventurine is considered a decorative and ornamental stone. Its most valuable varieties are: honey-yellow, brown with a cherry tint, golden-cherry, pink, cherry-white. When processed, they are given a cabochon shape - oval or round. Aventurine is often counterfeited, passing off colored glass with golden inclusions as this stone.

How to spot a fake

Quartz is an inexpensive mineral, however, despite this, attempts are still made to counterfeit its rare varieties. Use ordinary glass for this. You can distinguish a natural stone from a fake one by several signs:

• Real quartz has a glassy surface shine;
• a natural mineral is characterized by different directions of adhesions in the texture;
• If a stone, the hardness of which is second only to corundum and diamond, is passed over a glass or metal surface, then a mark in the form of a scratch will be visible on it.

Artificially grown synthetic quartz is not fake. It has the same chemical and physical characteristics as the natural mineral except for its healing and magical properties.

Properties and uses of the mineral

Particularly popular varieties of quartz are stones that are completely transparent, colored varieties, and interestingly shaped crystals. For thousands of years, they have been credited with healing and magical properties. Lithotherapy or treatment with minerals is again “in fashion” today. Quartz stones are in demand in magic; for example, a ball or pyramid made of rock crystal is considered a “conductor” to the world of the subconscious.

Physicochemical characteristics

Silicon oxide or silica is a strong, refractory substance. Quartz crystals cannot be scratched by glass, but they will leave a scratch on the glass plate. Varieties may contain inclusions, most often bubbles of gases or liquids, which affects individual properties. The very name of this group of minerals means “solid.”

Physical properties:

• quartz can be transparent, translucent or opaque, colorless or colored;
• the stone leaves a white line:
• glassy luster, greasy at the fracture;
• density of natural quartz - 2.65 g/cm3;
• melting point - about 1728°C;
• quartz hardness on the Mohs scale - 7;
• magnetism - absent;
• radioactivity - 0.

Note! Quartz stones do not interact with most known acids and dissolve in hydrofluoric acid.

The mineral is resistant to alkalis. Chemical vessels in which aggressive substances are mixed and heated in a burner flame are made from pure silicon oxide. The substance does not conduct electric current, is classified as a dielectric, and is used in optics and electronics.

Medicinal properties

Information about the therapeutic effects of minerals of this group has been preserved since ancient times. The healing and magical properties of quartz depend on the color and shape of the crystals, so varieties have an “exclusive” effect. However, according to lithotherapists, there are common qualities:

It is believed that natural quartz:

• reduces all types of pain resulting from excessive nervous tension and stress;
• has a beneficial effect on the condition of the human respiratory system;
• reduces sensitivity to geomagnetic changes;
• improves and stabilizes the psycho-emotional state;
• fights anxiety and fear - companions of neuroses and depression.

Quartz can be used both for treatment and for the prevention of diseases, taking into account the meaning of the stone. It is recommended to wear jewelry on the neck and chest to manifest and consolidate the properties. These can be elegant beads, small pendants, brooches with inserts, voluminous necklaces.

Lithotherapeutic properties of minerals:

One of the main recommendations of lithotherapists is to infuse water with rock crystal, but other varieties are also suitable. The mineral should be placed in a container with water for a day, then the resulting infusion should be filtered. This liquid can be drunk, used for compresses, lotions, baths and trays. Wipe the skin and wash with quartz water to combat rashes and rejuvenate .

Magic properties

Stones of this group are valued for their esoteric uses. Quartz is characterized by magical properties in the form of a transparent crystal and colored varieties. It is believed that they attract love, luck, and material well-being.

Colorless transparent quartz

Balls and pyramids made of rock crystal are considered carriers and transmitters of information and are used in meditation sessions. Mystical attribute - a skull made of rock crystal. There are more than 10 examples of excellent quality known in the world. It is believed that the finds are associated with the cults of ancient civilizations.

By the way! Rock crystal is valued in esotericism for helping to develop intuition.

Transparent quartz lenses are used to light the sacred fire in temples. Psychics, magicians, and sorcerers still use rock crystal balls, in which, under certain lighting, a “play” of yellow, red, orange, and green colors is visible. In magical rituals, this mineral helps in divination and strengthens prayers.

Magical properties of colored varieties

Colored minerals have individual qualities. Colored stones found in nature and processed, and figurines made from them, are used in magical rituals.

Varieties of quartz - magical and other properties of stones that help in life:

1. Rock crystal is a powerful conductor of energy, combining Yin and Yang, perfect for those who decide to develop extrasensory qualities and prediction skills.
2. Smoky quartz is a protective stone for everyone; it is suitable for managers, as it “charges” a person with the energy of a leader, helps in planning and focusing on the main goal.
3. Milky quartz, like rock crystal, is a magical attribute for meditation; it helps you better understand your inner needs, harmonize your relationship with the environment, and concentrate even in the office, on a noisy street.
4. The hairworm is used to cleanse the soul after personal dramas; it accumulates negative energy and frees its owner from it.
5. Carnelian, as psychics believe, helps to part with single life and find your soul mate, as it attracts people with a similar psychotype.
6. Pink stone “heals” psychological trauma.
7. Amethyst is suitable for people with an energetic, explosive character: the stone helps to pacify excessive enthusiasm and show reasonable caution.
8. Morion facilitates communication with the subconscious, identifying hidden motives and dark sides of the personality.

Important! Silver improves the properties of quartz. For the manufacture of amulets, it is precisely this combination of metal and mineral that is desirable.

The magical effect of jewelry also lies in the ability to cleanse the inner world of negative baggage. They give jewelry with a quartz insert in a silver frame to a person moving to another city or country so that character strengths can be revealed in a new environment. Whether to believe in the healing and magical power of a stone is a personal matter for everyone.

There are people who are skeptical about the properties of minerals described above. Not everything can be proven, but there are observations over thousands of years, collected over many generations. Perhaps the effects of stones are comparable to placebo, but faith, intuition and premonitions can work wonders.

Fusion [edit]

Melting is carried out at approximately 1,650 °C (3,000 °F) using an electrically heated furnace (electric melting) or using a gas/oxygen furnace (flame melting). Fused silica can be made from virtually any silicon-rich chemical precursor, usually using a continuous process that involves flame oxidation of volatile silicon compounds to silica and thermal fusion of the resulting dust (although alternative processes are used). The result is ultra-high purity clear glass with improved deep ultraviolet optical transmittance. One common method involves adding silicon tetrachloride to a hydrogen-oxygen flame.

Zodiac compatibility

Each sign can choose the most suitable mineral for itself. If we consider individual stones, we cannot say that they are categorically contraindicated for anyone. Quartz energy works better for some people, while being neutral for others. Combinations with metals increase compatibility with zodiac signs.

Note! Quartz does not have a negative effect.

Which stone suits who according to their zodiac sign:

• Citrine is a variety favorable for Gemini, Aquarius, Capricorn, Libra, Virgo, Pisces, Scorpio, Leo, Taurus and Sagittarius;
• rock crystal is a stone of Aquarius, Cancer, Pisces, it is also favorable for Aries, Leo, Virgo, Taurus and Capricorn;
• colorless and rose quartz, agate are well suited for Taurus;
• rauchtopaz and morion are powerful talismans for Scorpio;
• amethyst and rose quartz will exist in harmony with Libra;
• the snow-white variety will be appreciated by Capricorn;
• hairy - the stone of Gemini, Leo, Aquarius;
• Rose quartz suits Libra and Cancer.

Rock crystal helps “their” signs to avoid impulsive actions and irritability, and to find spiritual harmony and peace. Rauchtopaz restrains passionate Scorpios from rash actions and words that burst out in the heat of the moment and can offend others. Citrine improves intuitive skills and helps in solving financial problems.

Production[edit]

Fused quartz is produced by fusing (smelting) high purity quartz sand, which consists of quartz crystals. There are four main types of commercial quartz glass:

• Type I is produced by induction melting of natural quartz in a vacuum or inert atmosphere.
• Type II is produced by melting powdered quartz crystals in a high temperature flame.
• Type III is produced by burning SiCl 4 into a hydrogen-oxygen flame.
• Type IV is produced by burning SiCl 4 in a flame without steam. [3]

Quartz contains only silicon and oxygen, although commercial quartz glass often contains impurities. The predominant impurities are aluminum and titanium. [4]

Caring for stone and products

Minerals of the quartz group are both hard and beautiful, they lend themselves well to processing, and therefore are actively used in jewelry. Stones are used to make pendants, necklaces, beads, bracelets, and are inserted into earrings and rings. Maintaining the beautiful appearance of such products is not difficult.

It is recommended to wipe the quartz with a flannel cloth. To clean heavily soiled areas, use a soap solution. It is prepared from filtered water and soap with a neutral pH. You need to “arm yourself” with a toothbrush, dip it in a soapy solution, carefully wash the stone, and rinse thoroughly.

A newly purchased product with quartz can be held under running warm water and then dried. For cleaning, the pink variety is placed in kitchen salt and left for several hours. However, it is better to avoid using various aggressive substances for cleansing. Many of them leave stains on the stones. It is recommended to protect colored quartz from direct sunlight.

The fact that a mineral has a fairly high hardness does not mean it is resistant to impact. You should handle jewelry and souvenirs with quartz inserts with care. They may become cracked or break if dropped.

Links[edit]

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5. Salem, Jonathan (2012). "Transparent armored ceramics as spacecraft windows". Journal of the American Ceramic Society
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6. Kazansky, P.; and others. (March 11, 2016). "Forever 5D Data Storage with Ultra-Fast Laser-In-Glass Writing". SPIE Newsroom.
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8. Penn, Stephen D.; Harry, Gregory M.; Gretarsson, Andri M.; Kittelberger, Scott E.; Saulson, Peter R.; Schiller, John J.; Smith, Joshua R.; Swords, Saul O. (2001). "High quality factor measured in fused quartz." Review of Scientific Instruments
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9. ^ abc Malaton, IA (October 1965). "Intersubject Comparison of the Refractive Index of Fused Silica" (PDF). Journal of the Optical Society of America
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10. Wapler, M.C.; Leupold, J.; Dragonu, I.; von Elverfeldt, D.; Zaitsev, M.; Wallrabe, W. (2014). “Magnetic properties of materials for MR technology, micro-MR and more.” JMR
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11. "Keysight Technologies GENESYS Concepts" (PDF). Keysight Technologies
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12. "Fused Silica". OpticsLand
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13. Measuring surface tension and viscosity of optical glasses using a scanning CO2 laser
14. "Refractive Index of Fused Quartz (Fused Quartz)". Refractive index
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