Scientific

Quartz is a hard (Mohs =7), crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen (SiO2); it is the most abundant mineral found on the earth’s surface.  Quartz can be found as massive, non-crystalline, opaque white deposits known as milky quartz, or as clear hexagonal crystals known as “rock crystal” varying in size from very small to very large.  Quartz crystal faces always intersect at a 600 angle regardless of size or overall shape of the crystal.  They can be found in virtually every color and different names such as amethyst, citrine, rose quartz and smoky quartz are used to describe the crystal depending on color.  Herkimer “Diamond” is the name given to exceptionally clear, well formed crystals from Herkimer, New York.  The various colors are imparted by impurities in the crystalline structure. Impurities in the microcrystalline varieties are also known by many names depending on the impurity (color and transparency), such as agate, jasper, chalcedony, flint, tiger eye and onyx to name a few.  Quartz breaks with a distinctive conchoidal fracture with the edge of the flake being exceedingly sharp.  Chalcedony and flint were often used to make arrow heads and spear points. It is the primary constituent of sand found at the beach, in the river, and in the desert. 

Uses

Quartz is used in glass making, abrasives, foundry sand, and the colored varieties are often cut into gemstones.  Rock crystal is often is most often appreciated for its shape and clarity. Quartz is chemically inert in contact with most substances and has electrical properties and heat resistance that make it valuable in electronics.  One of the most amazing properties of quartz is the ability of its crystals to vibrate at precise frequencies. They are so precise the 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. The tiny devices used for these purposes are known as “crystal oscillators.” Today, billions of quartz crystals are used to make oscillators for watches, clocks, radios, televisions, electronic games, computers, cell phones, electronic meters, and GPS equipment.  Optical-grade quartz crystals are used to make specialized lenses, windows and filters used in lasers, microscopes, telescopes, electronic sensors, and scientific instruments. The material of beach sand is now the material of the world’s most advanced electronic devices.  Today nearly all quartz crystals used in industry are lab grown where the amount of impurities can be tightly controlled.

Meaning

Rose Quartz is a stone of love, love of all things, yourself, your family, friends, earth, universe, and the divine. It is intimately tied to the heart chakra, bringing calm and healing wounds to the heart.  It links to the throat, third eye and crown chakras bringing them into harmony with the heart.