Quartz Crystals...gorgeous and possibly magical!
Quartz is the world's second most abundant mineral, and the most most diverse and collectable in terms of varieties, shapes and forms. The quartz crystals we sell come mainly from Brazil.
There are many different varieties of quartz; crytalized quartz is considered a semi-precious gemstones. Since antiquity in Europe and the Middle East, quartz crystals have been used in the making of jewelry, carvings and has been attributed magical power.
The magic of quartz comes from it's unique physical properties First of all, quartz is an excellent conductor of heat. Objects and spheres carved from quartz always feel cool when touched or held, even in the heat of the day. Ancient peoples were well aware of this property and thought quartz was petrified ice, or "krystallos" in Greek, from which the word "crystal" comes.
Quartz crystal also has what is known as a "piezioelectric effect", meaning it generates or amplifies electricity. When pressure is alternately applied and released on a quartz crystal, a small amount of electricity is released. So by applying cyclic pressure, a current may be generated. This is the principle involved in quartz watches and quartz tuners on stereo systems. This electric current may be the energy some people feel while handling quartz.
The crystals in quartz form in many different shapes, to which are assigned different metaphysical properties. If you find the subject of healing crystals interesting, click here to read a great article!
Quartz crystals come in many different colors as well. Variations in color is due to trace amounts of minerals such as iron, titanium, or maganese, or from natural irradiation while in the earth.
clear, rock crystal quartz...
is colorless and clear, or translucent. This specimen has an inclusion known as a phantom. Phantoms are shapes can sometimes be seen in the interior of quartz crystals, outlining an earlier stage of the crystal's formation. They are composed of minerals such as chlorite, goethite or hematite or of other varieties of quartz, after which the quartz crystal resumes its crystallization enclosing the phantom crystal outline within itself.
citrine...
is a variety of quartz whose color ranges from a pale yellow to brown. It's color comes from iron impurities and from heat generated by nearby magma while in the earth. Natural cintrine is rare, much of what is sold as citrine is in fact artificially heated low grade amethyst cooked at high temperatures. Artificial citrine is opaque, and an orange-reddish color, as seen in the geode photo below. Natural citrine, such as the specimen in the photo on the left, is transparent and pale.
Citrine is one of three traditional birthstones for the month of November.
Citrine is one of three traditional birthstones for the month of November.
a big favorite at gem shows are the fascinating, colorful crystal quartz varieties of amethyst formed in geodes. Amethyst geodes form in rounded cavities created by ancient gas bubbles in basalt. After rock surrounding the cavity hardens, dissolved silicates are deposited on the inside surface. Over time, this slow deposit of minerals from groundwater seepage forms crystals inside the hollow chamber...
amethyst geodes...
Amethyst is the violet variety of quartz, but what makes it violet is a source of debate. Some sources attributed it to manganese Others theorize it is due to iron impurities, with aluminium and sulfur.
The name comes from the ancient greek ἀ a- ("not") and μέθυστος methustos ("intoxicated"), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkeness.
The name comes from the ancient greek ἀ a- ("not") and μέθυστος methustos ("intoxicated"), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkeness.
"citrine" geodes...
the lovely golden color of heat treated amethyst, not natural but very attractive!
Another gem show favorite is the quartz crystal skull. Even people who are uncomfortable with skulls find them intriguing. Because crystal skulls are so strangely attractive and mysterious, various theories about them exist.....
Some crystal skulls are believed to have ancient or extra-terrestrial origins. Others are believed to house entities or store and transmit information. If you are interested in the metaphysical properties of crystal skulls, click here for an informative article.
aside from spiritual theories, crystal skulls, they can be appreciated solely as beautiful works of art. Quartz crystal is a difficult medium to carve, and the artist must be patient as well as talented.
This photo is of a well known Brazillian skull carver, Leandro de Souza, who creates our finest crystal skull pieces. He's leaning on one of his larger crystal buddies.