Interesting Facts About Quartz Crystals

One of the most amazing properties of quartz is the ability of its crystals to vibrate at a precise frequencies. These frequencies are so precise that quartz crystals can be used to make extremely accurate time-keeping instruments and equipment that can transmit radio and television signals with precise and stable frequencies.

Physical Properties of Quartz from geology.com

Chemical Classification Silicate

Color Quartz occurs in virtually every color. Common colors are clear, white, gray, purple, yellow, brown, black, pink, green, red

Streak Colorless (harder than the streak plate)

Luster Vitreous

Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent

Cleavage None - typically breaks with a conchoidal fracture

Mohs Hardness 7

Specific Gravity 2.6 to 2.7

Diagnostic Properties Conchoidal fracture, glassy luster, hardness

Chemical Composition SiO2

Crystal System Hexagonal

Uses Glass making, abrasive, foundry sand, hydraulic fracturing proppant, gemstones

Did you know that when you rub two quartz crystals together a light frequency is emitted from them? We can’t see them because of other light frequencies, but in the dark, they can be seen. This phenomenon is called the piezoelectric effect The word piezoelectricity means electricity resulting from pressure and latent heat. It is derived from the Greek word πιέζειν; piezein, which means to squeeze or press, and ἤλεκτρον ēlektron, which means amber, an ancient source of electric charge. This effect is also reversible. 1

Sound bowls used in during sound baths after a yoga session or meditation are commonly made out of quartz because their natural vibration frequency is 432Hz. Did you know that 432Hz is the natural frequency of the universe? Check out this video that explains the phenomenon of 432 Hz and how it is a universal frequency.

1 From Wikipedia.com