Collection:
The large Quartz family
The Great Quartz Family: A Complete and Comparative Guide
Quartz (SiO₂) is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. Its hexagonal crystalline structure and simple composition of silicon dioxide allow it to host an extraordinary diversity of inclusions and structural variations, thus creating a vast family of stones with unique properties.
This family is divided into two main categories: the macrocrystalline quartz (crystals visible to the naked eye) and the microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz (microscopic crystals forming compact masses).
Table 1: Macrocrystalline Quartz - Pure and Colored Varieties
| Variety | Composition / Inclusions | Color | Training | Specific Virtues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Crystal | pure SiO₂ No inclusions |
Colorless, transparent | Hydrothermal Magmatic Metamorphic |
Energy amplification Mental clarity |
| Amethyst | SiO₂ + Fe³⁺ Natural irradiation |
Pale to deep violet | Hydrothermal Volcanic geodes |
Spirituality Mental calm |
| Natural Citrine | SiO₂ + Fe³⁺ Natural heat treatment |
Pale yellow to golden | Hydrothermal Metamorphic |
Material abundance Trust |
| Amethyst-Citrine (Ametrine) | SiO₂ + Fe³⁺ Purple and yellow areas |
Two-tone purple and yellow | Hydrothermal Temperature variation |
Mental balance Creativity |
| Smoky Quartz | SiO₂ + Al³⁺ Natural irradiation |
Brownish-grey to black | Hydrothermal Pegmatitic Metamorphic |
Ground anchoring Protection |
| Rose Quartz | SiO₂ + Ti, Fe, Mn Aluminum phosphate |
Pale to intense pink | Pegmatitic Massive (rarely crystalline) |
Unconditional love Emotional gentleness |
| Morion Quartz | SiO₂ + Al³⁺ Intense irradiation |
Opaque black | Pegmatitic Radioactive zones |
Maximum protection Deep anchoring |
| Prasiolite (Green Quartz) | SiO₂ + Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ Natural/artificial heating |
Pale to medium green | Hydrothermal Thermal treatment |
Prosperity Personal Growth |
Table 2: Quartz with Mineral Inclusions
| Variety | Inclusions and Features | Visual Aspect | Training | Specific Virtues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutile Quartz | Rutile needles (TiO₂) Titanium |
Golden, silvery or reddish filaments in clear crystal | Hydrothermal High temperature |
Spiritual Enlightenment Energy amplification |
| Tourmaline Quartz | Black tourmaline (schorl) crystals Complex silicate |
Black sticks in clear crystal | Hydrothermal Pegmatitic |
Psychological protection Purification |
| Quartz Chlorite | Chlorite inclusions Magnesium silicate |
Green clouds in crystal | Hydrothermal Metamorphic |
Emotional healing Detoxification |
| Quartz Hematite | Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) Hematite |
Red areas, orange areas or rust inclusions | Hydrothermal Oxidation |
Physical vitality Rooting |
| Lepidocrocite Quartz | Lepidocrocite (FeO-OH) Iron hydroxide |
Red inclusions in scales or feathers | Hydrothermal Low temperature |
Cardiac activation Joy |
| Phantom Quartz | Chlorite, hematite, clays Growth interrupted |
Internal superimposed pyramidal shapes | Hydrothermal Cyclical growth |
Personal transformation Evolution |
| Lodolite Quartz (Garden) | Multiple: chlorite, hematite, clays, feldspar | complex internal landscapes | Hydrothermal Low temperature |
Deep Meditation Shamanic vision |
| Cacoxenite Quartz | Cacoxenite (iron phosphate) Goethite, lepidocrocite |
Radiant golden to orange inclusions | Hydrothermal Rare |
Spiritual Enlightenment Ascent |
| Tibetan Quartz | Hematite, limonite High-altitude growth |
Multiple terminations, dark inclusions | Metamorphic Himalaya |
Spiritual elevation Sacred connection |
Table 3: Microcrystalline Quartz (Chalcedony)
| Variety | Composition / Structure | Color and Pattern | Training | Specific Virtues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chalcedony | cryptocrystalline SiO₂ fibrous structure |
White, grey, pale blue Translucent |
Sedimentary Geodes Veins |
Gentle communication Inner peace |
| Agate | cryptocrystalline SiO₂ Concentric bands |
Multicolor Ribboned |
Sedimentary Volcanic geode filling |
Emotional stability Anchoring |
| Cornelain | SiO₂ + Fe₂O₃ Iron oxide |
Orange to brick red | Sedimentary Hydrothermal |
Creative vitality Courage |
| Sardonyx | SiO₂ + Fe₂O₃ Concentrated hematite |
Reddish-brown to dark brown | Sedimentary Metamorphic |
Protection Inner strength |
| Chrysoprase | SiO₂ + Ni²⁺ Nickel silicate |
Apple green to emerald green | Lateritic Serpentine alteration |
Hope Renewal |
| Onyx | cryptocrystalline SiO₂ Straight parallel strips |
Black and white Contrast |
Sedimentary Limestone deposit |
Self control Discipline |
| Red Jasper | SiO₂ + clays + Fe₂O₃ 20% impurities |
opaque brick red | Sedimentary Silica replacement |
Vital energy Physical courage |
| Yellow Jasper | SiO₂ + clays + goethite | opaque mustard yellow | Sedimentary | Optimism Trust |
| Dalmatian Jasper | SiO₂ + feldspar + tourmaline | Beige with black spots | Volcanic Mexico |
Joy Loyalty |
| Ocean Jasper | SiO₂ + orbital minerals | Green, yellow, pink in spheres | Volcanic Madagascar |
Breathing Fluidity |
| Heliotrope (Bloodstone Jasper) | SiO₂ + chlorite + hematite | Dark green with red spots | Sedimentary India |
Warrior courage Vitality |
| Flint | cryptocrystalline SiO₂ Opaque granular |
Grey, black, brown | Sedimentary Calcium nodules |
Primitive anchoring Survival |
Table 4: Special and Rare Quartz
| Variety | Unique Feature | Features | Training | Specific Virtues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herkimer Quartz | Double natural termination Diamond clarity |
Short bipyramidal crystals Exceptionally transparent |
Dolomites Herkimer, New York |
Lucid dreams Psychic vision |
| Quartz Elestial | Multiple tiered terminations Complex Growth |
Naturally sculpted crystals Multiple faces |
Hydrothermal Brazil, Madagascar |
Angelic Wisdom Karmic healing |
| Cathedral Quartz | Main crystal + parallel crystals | complex architecture Crystal Library |
Hydrothermal Slow growth |
Akashic Records Wisdom |
| Quartz Laser (Wand) | Long and tapered Unique termination |
Natural baguette Wide base, fine point |
Hydrothermal Directed Growth |
Targeted healing Energy management |
| Tantric Quartz (Twin Soul) | Two equal points on a common base | Parallel twin crystals | rare hydrothermal | Harmonious relationships Partnership |
| Quartz Isis | perfect pentagonal face 5 sides at the end |
Sacred feminine symbolism | Hydrothermal | Divine feminine Intuition |
| Quartz Channeling | Triangular face + opposite heptagonal face | Configuration 7-3 Energy Channel |
Hydrothermal | Spiritual channeling Guidance |
| Quartz Window | Perfect diamond shape between the end and the body | Natural geometric window | Hydrothermal | Inner vision Introspection |
| Aura Quartz (Treated) | Metallic vapor depot Gold, titanium, platinum |
Artificial iridescence Bright metallic colors |
Industrial processing Vacuum + heat |
Amplified joy Light protection |
| Quartz Faden | Internal white line (healed fissure) | White wire passing through flat crystal | Metamorphic Tectonic stress |
Fracture healing Resilience |
| Quartz Scepter | Second crystal on the termination of the first | Royal scepter shape | Hydrothermal Two-phase growth |
Spiritual Authority Leadership |
| Quartz Barnacle | Small crystals on a large crystal | Crystal "parent" covered in "babies" | Hydrothermal Collective growth |
Family Community |
Table 5: Quartz by Distinctive Geographic Origin
| Variety / Origin | Location | Unique Features | Specific Virtues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz Lemurs | Serra do Cabral Minas Gerais, Brazil |
Horizontal striations Scaling up Often pink or smoky |
Lemur memories Ancient Wisdom |
| Quartz Arkansas | Ouachita Mountains Arkansas, USA |
Exceptional clarity Powerful energy Massive clusters |
Maximum amplification Programming |
| Alpine Quartz | Swiss Alps Austria, France |
Crystalline purity High altitude formation Small, elegant crystals |
Alpine Clarity Elevation |
| Quartz Madagascar | Madagascar Various regions |
Wide variety Exceptional quality Various inclusions |
Energy diversity Adaptability |
| Quartz Shangaan | Zimbabwe South Africa |
Bicolor smoky amethyst Violet and grey-brown |
Alchemical transformation Transmutation |
Important note: The properties mentioned in these charts are based on crystal healing and energy traditions. They are in no way a substitute for professional medical advice. Quartz is, above all, a fascinating mineral from a geological and mineralogical perspective.
Main Geological Formations
| Type of Training | Process | Typical Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrothermal | Crystallization from hot aqueous solutions rich in silica Temperature: 100-450°C Variable pressure In veins, fissures, geodes |
Rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, rutilated quartz, quartz with inclusions |
| Pegmatitic | Crystallization of residual magma very rich in silica Slow cooling Large crystals |
Rose quartz, smoky quartz, giant crystals, morion quartz |
| Magmatic | Direct crystallization of magma Component of igneous rocks Granite, rhyolite |
Quartz crystals in rocks, sometimes euhedral |
| Metamorphic | Recrystallization under high pressure and temperature Transformation of existing rocks Quartzites |
Quartz from schists, quartzites, quartz in alpine veins |
| Sedimentary | Precipitation of dissolved silica replacement of organic or mineral matter Low temperature |
Chalcedony, agate, jasper, petrified wood, flint, opal (hydrated) |
Classification by Hardness and Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 7 | All crystalline and cryptocrystalline quartz Scratches glass (5.5) Striped by topaz (8) |
| Density | 2.65 g/cm³ | Pure Quartz May vary slightly depending on inclusions |
| Refractive Index | 1.544 - 1.553 | Low birefringence: 0.009 |
| Crystalline System | Hexagonal (trigonal) | Class 32 (trapezohedral) Ternary symmetry |
| Cleavage | Absent | Characteristic conchoidal fracture Irregular break |
| Glow | Glassy | May be greasy on a fresh fracture |
| Transparency | Variable | From transparent (rock crystal) to opaque (jasper) Based on purity and inclusions |
| Piezoelectricity | Yes | Generates electrical charge under pressure Used in electronics |
| Pyroelectricity | Yes (weak) | Generates charge under temperature change |
Summary Table: Quartz by Color
| Color | Varieties | Cause of the Discoloration |
|---|---|---|
| Colorless | Rock crystal Herkimer Quartz |
Pure SiO₂ without impurities Maximum clarity |
| Purple | Amethyst Smoky Amethyst |
Fe³⁺ + natural irradiation Colored centers |
| Yellow / Gold | Natural Citrine Yellow Jasper |
Fe³⁺ + natural heat Goethite (jasper) |
| Pink | Rose quartz Pink amethyst |
Ti, Fe, Mn + phosphates Dumortierite fibers |
| Grey / Brown / Black | Smoky quartz Morion Flint |
Al³⁺ + irradiation (smoke/morion) Organic matter (flint) |
| Green | Prasiolite Chrysoprase Aventurine Chlorite Jasper |
Fe²⁺ (prasiolite) Ni²⁺ (chrysoprase) Fuchsite (aventurine) Chlorite (jasper) |
| Orange / Red | Cornelain Sardonyx Red Jasper Heliotrope |
Hematite Fe₂O₃ Goethite FeO-OH Iron oxides |
| Blue | Blue Chalcedony Blue agate |
Rayleigh Distribution Microscopic fibrous structure |
| Multicolor |