Post on 05-Jul-2015
transcript
Quartz: What is it?
Quartz is a mineral.
Often quartz is clear to milky, with other color variations depending on what impurities are present in its formation (Stoiber, 1945, pp.219-229).
It is mainly composed of silicon dioxide.
It is the second most abundant mineral on earth after feldspar.
Where is Quartz found?
Quartz can be found in all types of rocks. Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic all contain traces of quartz.
Some sources claim that quartz can be found everywhere on earth.
Brazil hosts the largest amount of types of quartz found to date (Sorden).
Where is Quartz found?
(cont.)
Since quartz can be found all
over earth, quartz varies in
value depending on it’s
clarity, cut, size, and
condition.
Quartz is usually mined from
veins within rock (Sorden).
There was a large quartz
vein running through
Gwinnett County in 2008.
Gwinnett County Quartz Finding
Gwinnett County Quartz
Vein
In 2008, a quartz vein was
discovered in Gwinnett
County, GA.
The exact location was
never specified (Barrett,
2011).
Jason Barrett is credited
with its discovery.
Physical Properties of
Quartz
Because of the versatility
that quartz has, it is used
for many different things.
Quartz is often used in
glass making as well as
for decorative gemstones
in jewelry.
Common gemstone
names for quartz are
amethyst, citrine, jasper,
rose quartz and smoky
quartz.
How does Quartz form?
While quartz can be found in all forms of rock, it is formed in igneous rocks originally.
Molten magma slowly makes its way up to the surface of the earth. As the magma moves, it is getting cooled because its farther away from the center of the earth.
This causes crystals to form because of the presence of silicates, oxygen, and other elements present in the magma. As the magma cools gradually, the crystals will extend out forming larger deposits of quartz within the now solidified magma.
The presence of other elements such as titanium or iron oxide, give the minerals their different hues.
How does Quartz Form?
Quartz forms from silicate which compounds over
time without being disturbed.
Since quartz is fairly hard, it stands up to erosion
better than other minerals causing it to be more
abundant.
What is Quartz used for?
Quartz has been used for many different reasons (King, “Quartz”).
Some quartz has been used in silicon based computer chips. In Spruce Pine, North Carolina, the Thomas family has owned the gem mine for decades and has mined almost every kind of precious gemstone (“Gem Mining History”).
Luther Thomas, Early 1900s
More Uses for Quartz
When put under pressure, quartz will emit a positive charge from one end of the crystal and a negative charge from the other. This makes it useful in many types of electronic applications (Nave).
It is often utilized in circuit boards for varying products, as well as frequency control devices.
Rose Quartz
The largest deposit of rose quartz is found in Brazil
in Bahia and Minas Gerais.
Bahia
Minas Gerais
Smoky Quartz
Smoky quartz is said to
be formed after being
exposed to differing
amount of radiation and
aluminum.
This causes the blackish
coloring within the crystal.
Smoky quartz can be
found in many countries
across the world including
Namibia, Scotland, The
U.S.A., Russia, China,
and many more.
References
Barrett, J. (2011, December 8). My quartz spot(very pic heavy) w/video. Mindat Mineralogy Messageboard. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,5,220328,page=2
Gem Mining History. (n.d.). Spruce Pine NC Gemstone MineGemstones Jewelry Gifts. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.sprucepinegemmine.com/gem-mining-history/
King, H. (n.d.). Quartz. Mineral. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from http://geology.com/minerals/quartz.shtml
Nave, R. (n.d.). Quartz. Quartz. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geophys/quartz.html
Quartz. (n.d.). Minerals Education Coalition. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals/quartz
Sorden, S. (n.d.). Where is Quartz Found?. Where is Quartz Found?. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.geocities.ws/quartz_project/location.html
Stoiber, R., Tolman, C., & Butler, R. (1945). Geology of Quartz Crystal Deposits. American Mineralogist, 30, 219-229. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from http://www.minsocam.org/msa/collectors_corner/arc/quartzdep.htm