Quartz is one of the most common and varied minerals on earth, and its abundant colors produce many gemstone types. Amethyst and Citrine are the most popular and valuable gem varieties of Quartz, but other forms also make important gemstones. Chalcedony describes any form of Quartz that is microcrystalline, in compact form without any visible crystals. Chalcedony also has several varieties used as gemstones, most notably Agate, Carnelian, Tiger's Eye, and Chrysoprase.
Color
?
White, Colorless, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Gray, Black, Multicolored
All About
Pure Quartz, which is also known as Rock Crystal, is colorless. Various
impurities are responsible for the extensive range of colors. The main
crystalline Quartz varieties used as gemstones are described below.
AmethystAmethyst, the purple variety, is the most popular and valuable Quartz gemstone. Amethyst ranges from light to dark purple. See the
Amethyst gemstone page for more details.
CitrineCitrine is the yellow, orange, or reddish-brown variety of Quartz. It is usually colored by
heat treatment of Amethyst or Smoky Quartz. Light yellow or lemon yellow Citrine is often called Lemon Quartz in the gem trade. See the
Citrine gemstone page for more details.
Smoky QuartzSmoky Quartz is the
brown "smoky" variety of Quartz. It ranges in color from light brown to
black. Despite its dark color, it is rarely opaque. See the
Smoky Quartz gemstone page for more details.
Rose QuartzThe 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. See the
Rose Quartz gemstone page for more details.
Rock CrystalThe colorless, transparent variety of Quartz, free of any
impurities, is known as "Rock Crystal".
Flawless and very large cuts may be cut from Rock Crystal.
Milky QuartzMilky Quartz is the white, translucent to opaque variety of Quartz. Though very common in nature, it is not used as a gemstone.
Rutilated QuartzColorless Quartz with golden yellow
Rutile inclusions, as hairlike growths within the gemstone, are known as Rutilated Quartz. See the
Rutilated Quartz gemstone page for more details.
AmetrineAmetrine is an interesting, color-zoned combination of purple Amethyst and brownish-yellow Citrine. See the
Ametrine gemstone page for more details.
Prasiolite / Green QuartzPrasiolite, or Green Quartz, describes a light green Quartz artificially colored by
heat treatment of certain types of Amethyst. May also be called "Green Amethyst" by some jewelers.
Blue QuartzThe blue variety of Quartz, which is uncommon in nature, is seldom used as a gemstone. 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 QuartzColorless Quartz with
Tourmaline inclusions, often as thin long black crystals, is known as "Tourmalinated Quartz".
Cat's Eye QuartzCat's Eye Quartz is Quartz with dense, tiny
Rutile inclusions that cause a
cat's eye effect. It 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 affordable. They are cut into various gemstone cuts and
cabochons, and used in all forms of jewelry. Lesser quality stones are often
tumbled for use in bracelets, necklaces, and as costume jewelery. Large spheres and carvings are also cut from all the Quartz forms. 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. Small crystals of Rock Crystal are sometime worn as
pendants, sometimes being polished and smoothed, and sometimes in their entirely natural crystal form.
Treatments & Enhancements
?
Amethyst may be
heat treated to deepen the purple color. Most gem
Citrine is produced by heat treating Amethyst, and the green Quartz
known as
Prasiolite or "
Green Amethyst" is also produced by heating Amethyst from specific localities.
Certain colorful Quartz types not found in nature are produced through
irradiation. Some forms of Quartz with a multicolored rainbow effect are synthetically
treated to produce their color effect using film
deposition. The process involves bonding an extremely thin
metallic
film layer over the top of the gemstone, so that the interesting color
effects are reflected from the crown. Some vividly colorful forms of Quartz are synthetic grown using the
hydrothermal method.
Quartz Sources
?
Quartz is extremely common and is found in numerous localities throughout the world. The important sources are far too numerous to mention, though in general the most prolific countries that produce Quartz gemstones are Brazil, Madagascar, India, and the U.S. (Arkansas). Specific sources for the popular Quartz varieties are described on their dedicated pages.
Similar Gemstones
?
See the individual variety pages for specific variety similarities.
Rock crystal is similar to glass, but the softness of glass usually lends it to scratches and soft etches which are lacking 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. These white gemstones will also have a greater
dispersion and exhibit more fire.