Quartz - description of the properties of the mineral for children in grade 2

Quartz, a polymorph of silicon dioxide, is one of the most common minerals on our planet; it serves as a rock-forming mineral for many rocks of igneous and metamorphic origin. The earth's crust contains about 12% pure quartz and more than 60% in other stones.

Physico-chemical characteristics of quartz

Pure quartz is colorless or white when it contains cracks and other defects.
Its chemical composition is silicon dioxide. Quartz crystals that are colorless and free from defects are known as rock crystal and are used as a gemstone in their own right. Due to admixtures of other elements, such as iron oxides, quartz is colored in different shades. For example, morion is black, amethyst is purple, and citrine has a yellow tint.

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Quartz is characterized by polymorphism. Under normal conditions, α-quartz, also known as the low-temperature modification, is stable. By β-quartz we mean its high-temperature subtype. Independent polymorphic modifications of quartz include cristobalites, tridymites, coesites, and stishovites.

Quartz crystals are oblong hexagons that look like a sharpened pencil. Often form drusen. Large brushes are formed from small crystals.

Quartz has a trigonal system and conchoidal fracture. Hardness on the Mohs scale 7. Specific gravity 2.6 g/cm3. The mineral is soluble in alkalis and hydrofluoric acid. Its melting point is from 1713 to 1728 °C. It has dielectric and piezoelectric 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.

Types of Quartz

• Aventurines are colored yellow or brownish-red.

• Agates are distinguished by a layered-banded structure.

• Amethysts are endowed with an exquisite purple color.

• Binghemites are iridescent quartz with an admixture of goethites.

• Hairworms are a type of rock crystal that contains fine-needle crystals of rutiles and tourmalines.

• Rock crystal is colorless and transparent quartz.

• Flint is a fine-grained cryptocrystalline aggregate of silica with a variable composition, which includes quartz, chalcedony, cristobalite, and occasionally opal.

• Morions are black quartz.

• Overflows are opaque stones that are a mixture of quartz and chalcedony.

• Prazemes contain actinolite, which is why they are colored green.

• Prasiolites are onion-green minerals obtained by calcination of yellow quartz.

• Rauchtopazes (smoky quartz) – painted in gray or brown light tones.

• Rose quartz.

• Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline fine-fiber stone. Translucent or translucent, painted white or honey yellow

• Citrines are lemon-yellow gems.

• Sapphire quartz is colored blue and has a coarse-grained structure.

• Cat's eye is a stone of white, pinkish or gray color with iridescence and unusual light reflection.

• Hawkeye - quartz intergrowths with bluish-gray amphibole.

• Tiger's eye is golden brown in color.

• Onyxes are brown minerals with patterns of white and black, also found in shades of red-brown, brown-yellow, honey, white with yellow or pink layers.

• Heliotropes are opaque dark green stones with red stripes or spots, which consist of fine-grained quartz, chalcedony, and iron compounds.

Compatibility

Many types of quartz are highly compatible with human energy. The crystalline structure of a natural mineral has a beneficial effect on the psyche, provided that the stone is selected taking into account individual characteristics. It is better to purchase jewelry and items made from minerals where you can first hold them in your hands and inspect them thoroughly.

With other stones

Quartz crystals usually have many inclusions and impurities of other minerals. In rocks, its grains grow together with other minerals. Jewelry made from semi-precious varieties combines well with other semi-precious minerals. Less valuable varieties of quartz are used as beautiful inlays in jewelry with semi-precious and precious stones.

With zodiac signs

Quartz is well suited for Taurus; representatives of this sign should especially pay attention to agate and rose quartz. Capricorns will appreciate snow-white quartz. Fiery Aries and Sagittarius will prefer stones of red shades. Golden citrine is suitable for Leos. Aquarius, Cancer and Pisces are unlikely to remain indifferent to transparent rock crystals. Sapphire quartz is also suitable for Pisces. Libra will find harmony with amethyst and rose quartz. Scorpios might like black morion and smoky quartz.

The mineral is distinguished by great diversity and good energy, so it is well suited for some signs and neutral for others. There is no negative influence for any signs.

With names

Almost all names are compatible with quartz. Separately, we can highlight female names: Alina, Faina, Milena. Men's - Kirill, Luka.

Magical properties of quartz

Quartz attracts love, luck, success and financial well-being to its owner, helps to develop imagination and think actively, creatively.
Of all quartz, the most magically valuable is rock crystal. This stone has a high energy potential and can be programmed to help achieve any goals. Milk quartz is used for meditation, in order to free thoughts and go deeper within oneself. Smoky quartz is suitable for business people and becomes an excellent assistant in making important decisions. Amethysts and chrysoprase give peace. Carnelian is a symbol of fidelity.

All quartz have a calming effect, relieve fears and help cope with stress. They are also good at clearing rooms of negative energy.

Healing properties of quartz

Quartz has a good effect on the respiratory system.
Quartz crystals can alleviate colds. Traditional medicine widely uses quartz water, which is made by infusing water with quartz or passing ordinary water through a special quartz filter. It is believed that such water is endowed with many beneficial properties, is useful in the prevention of various diseases, stimulates and rejuvenates the body. It is also used in cosmetology. Washing with quartz water gives the skin elasticity, smoothness and firmness, smooths out wrinkles, and eliminates acne. In addition, lotions and compresses with quartz water are used to treat bruises, burns, cuts, and inflammatory processes on the skin.

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Industries using quartz

Quartz has found application in the design of optical instruments, ultrasound generators, telephone and radio equipment, electronic devices, and refractory materials.
It is simply irreplaceable in the production of glass and ceramics. As a glass-forming oxide, it is the primary glass produced from pure silica, rock crystal, vein quartz and quartz sand. Varieties of quartz with beautiful structure, shape and unusual coloring are very popular in jewelry.

History and origin

People appreciated the hardness and beauty of quartz crystals as soon as they began to find these minerals. Finds in the form of quartz tools are more than 9 thousand years old.

Mention of this mineral is found in the ancient Greek naturalist Theophrastus and the encyclopedist writer Pliny the Elder. The Greeks and Romans used rock crystal to make seals, tableware and jewelry. Lenses were made from transparent crystals, with the help of which fire was produced. Ancient priests used clear quartz in the form of balls for divination, hermits and monks used it for meditation. Jewelry was made from beautiful colored varieties of quartz.

Artificial quartz

Today, artificial quartz is produced using the hydrothermal method. It is widely used for industrial purposes as it is homogeneous and chemically pure. In this case, single crystals are always grown whose piezo-optical properties are better expressed than those of natural minerals.

When it comes to jewelry, synthetic methods make it possible to create quartz in a variety of colors. For example, very rare green quartz or a pure blue variety that does not exist at all in nature. The production of synthetic quartz is widespread in Russia.

Main deposits and production

The mineral crystallizes from magma. It is one of the main components of granite pegmatites. The internal fragments of pegmatite veins are often pure quartz and form a quartz core. Crystal-bearing quartz veins directly arise in the earth's crust at high pressure with the participation of hot springs (hydrothermal processes).

Quartz is common in sedimentary rocks (limestones, dolomites). It is the main component of sandstones. It is often found in cavities filled with sandy-clayey material, where it is mined using an excavator method.

Industrial mining of quartz in Russia began after the first samples were found in the Urals in the 19th century.

In Russia, the largest deposit of this valuable mineral is located in the Urals, in the Chelyabinsk region (Kyshtym deposit). Quartz is mined in Buryatia, Komi, Karelia, Yakutia, Transbaikalia, and Crimea.

Quartz deposits are also found in countries such as Australia, Chile, India, Norway, Austria, USA, Brazil, etc. The mineral is distributed almost everywhere.

How to distinguish real quartz from a fake

Quartz counterfeits are rare, as this mineral is quite common. Imitations are usually made for its rare varieties. Thus, fake rose quartz is created by coloring smoky quartz with iron and manganese. Such dyes cannot penetrate deeply and produce an uneven color, which also oxidizes easily and loses its visual appeal.