Quartz Stone Beads
Perhaps,
Quartz got its name either from Greek word, "ice"or from
ancient Saxon word "querkluftertz". There are two
varieties of quartz, one is micro crystalline (these crystals are so
minute that without magnification, these can not be visible), and
the other is macro crystalline (these crystals can be seen without
magnification). Quartz Stone Beads are found in different colors.
These colors are cherry, blue, rosy, lemon etc. the quartz beads are
also found in different forms. Out of these different forms, the two
prominent forms are "Crystal Quartz" and "Rock
Crystals". Through general view, quart and glass are seemed to be similar, but careful observation can distinguish these two. In Quartz beads, there are some tiny bubbles are present and also these beads exhibit double refractive index. The quartz beads are also harder than the glass beads. Quartz stone beads have other significances also, like these are considered as "Universal Healing Stone Beads". Apart from it, these beads are also good for bringing happiness, optimism and hope.
Quartz stone beads are extensively used in making bracelets, earnings, necklaces, pendants, jewelry sets, diamond jewelry, loose gems, and many more other things. To increase the beauty and making these more eye-catching, along with some other materials, these beads are used. These materials are: Stainless steel, gold, sterling silver, two tone, platinum, brass etc. the main sources of these beads are Namibia, French, Brazil, Madagascar, Canada, Swiss Alps, and French Alps.
Quartz Stone
Chemical Formula: SiO2
Mineral Name: Quartz
Color: Varies as per the spectrum
Hardness: 7
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Quartz is a very common mineral found in all types of geological environment. It clearly varies in terms of varieties, colors and forms. Some of the macrocrystalline or large crystal varieties are popular as ornamental stones and gemstones.
» Amethyst, a purple gemstone
» Citrine, a yellow to orange gemstone
» Milky Quartz, a cloudy white gemstone
» Rock crystal, a clear gemstone
» Rose quartz, a pink to reddish pink gemstone
» Smoky quartz, a brown to gray gemstone
Cryptocrystalline (crystals too small to be seen even by a microscope) varieties are also used as semi-precious stones and for ornamental purposes. Chalcedony or agate is divided into innumeral types that have been named for locally common varieties. Some beautiful types of quartz include:
» Chrysoprase (a pure green agate)
» Sard (a yellow to brown agate)
» Sardonyx (banded sard)
» Onyx(black and white agate)
» Carnelian (a yellow to orange agate)
» Flint (a colorful and microscopically fibrous form)
» Jasper (a colorful impure agate)
» Bloodstone (a green with red speckled agate).
Quartz has a unique structure that involves corkscrewing (helix) chains of silicon tetrahedrons and is a beautiful mineral to collect thus, serve as collectors' delight. Fine Quartz are known for their crystal habit, hardness, striations, good conchoidal fracture and lack of good cleavage.
Major occurrences of amethyst are Brazil, Uraguay, Mexico, Russia, and Thunder Bay area of Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Germany and some regions in the USA.
