QUARTZ (var. ROCK CRYSTAL)

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Rock crystal, which is common and occurs worldwide, has been collected since prehistory.  Notable collecting localities are found in India, Brazil, Germany, Peru, Bolivia, Namibia, Russia, and the United States (Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Connecticut, Virginia).

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Rock crystal is the transparent, colorless variety of macrocrystalline quartz [silicon dioxide, SiO₂).  The word “quartz” is believed to have originated with the Slavic kwardy, meaning “hard,” in allusion to its substantial hardness.  It crystallizes in the hexagonal system and occurs mainly in hydrothermal veins, granite pegmatites, and as geode linings as short-to-long, horizontally striated, hexagonal, prismatic crystals with pyramidal terminations and distinctive, water-clear transparency.  It has a Mohs hardness of 7.0, a conchoidal fracture, vitreous luster, and specific gravity of 2.65.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: Rock crystal has since antiquity been one of the most widely collected of all minerals.  It has served as a gemstone and ornamental stone in many cultures.  Until quartz was synthesized in the 1960s, rock crystal was vital to electronic frequency controls, filters, and timing devices. Modern metaphysical practitioners call rock crystal the “universal crystal” because of its numerous abilities to sharpen insight, enhance spiritual development, improve concentration, refine focus, and energize the mind.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Rock crystal is widely collected for its brilliant transparency, superb hexagonal crystal development, and frequent occurrence on large plates and in geodes to make interesting display pieces.

SCHORL

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES:  Schorl, pronounced SHORL, has been known since antiquity and was named in the 13^th century after the German mining town of Zschorlau, where it was occurred in quantity in the local tine mines.  Important sources are located in Brazil, Pakistan, Germany, Madagascar, Canada, Mexico, and the United States (California, Maine, New Hampshire, Colorado)

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Schorl [basic sodium iron aluminum borosilicate, NaFe₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄] crystallizes in the hexagonal (trigonal) system as long, longitudinally striated, jet-black, opaque prisms with distinctive, triangular cross sections.  It has a Mohs hardness of 7.0, a vitreous luster, indistinct cleavage, and a specific gravity of 3.2.  Its diagnostic jet-black color is caused by its high iron content.  Schorl, the most abundant member of the tourmaline-mineral group, occurs primarily in granite pegmatites with quartz, albite, and the tourmaline-group mineral elbaite.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES:  Schorl is a semiprecious gemstone that was especially popular during the Victorian era in mourning jewelry.  It serves as a minor gemstone today.  Schorl has no technological uses.  During medieval times, schorl was thought to alleviate the symptoms of pulmonary ailments.  Metaphysical practitioners believe that schorl removes and blocks and negative energies, increases physical vitality, and enhances insight and vision in daily activities.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Schorl is widely collected for its jet-black color, vitreous luster, excellent crystal development, and long, striated prisms.  It is especially popular as composite specimens in association with white albite and other pegmatite minerals.

QUARTZ (var. AMETHYST)

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES:  Amethyst has served as a gemstone since ancient times.  Its name stems from the Greek amethystos, meaning “remedy against drunkenness,” alluding to its purported power to prevent inebriation.  Important amethyst localities are found in Brazil, Uruguay, Pakistan, Russia, Namibia, and the United States (Arizona, Colorado).

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Amethyst, pronounced AHH-ma-thist, is the transparent, purple, gem variety of macrocrystalline quartz [silicon dioxide, SiO₂).  It crystallizes in the hexagonal system and occurs mainly in hydrothermal veins, granite pegmatites, and as geode linings as short-to-long, hexagonal, prismatic crystals with a distinctive and diagnostic purple or lilac color that is caused by traces of iron.  It has a Mohs hardness of 7.0, excellent transparency, conchoidal fracture, vitreous luster, and specific gravity of 2.65.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: Over the centuries, many cultures have endowed amethyst with supernatural powers that bring good luck, ensure constancy, and protect against homesickness, magical spells, and drunkenness.  Amethyst is the most highly valued member of the quartz-gemstone group and is faceted into gems that can weigh 10 or more carats.  Massive amethyst or stones of lesser quality are tumbled into beads, fashioned into cabochons, or cut into decorative items.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Amethyst is widely collected for its range of purple-lilac colors, excellent crystal development, and frequent occurrence on large crystal plates and geodes that make eye-catching display pieces.