QUARTZ VARIETIES

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on earth. 

In the most basic sense, Quartz is the crystalline form of silicon dioxide. When Quartz grows into large crystals, lapidaries can cut varieties such as Rock Crystal, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Honey Quartz, Lemon Quartz, Amethyst, or Citrine. 

Most quartz forms in either igneous rocks or environments with geothermal waters.

In Igneous rocks, Quartz forms as magma cools. Like water turning into ice, silicon dioxide will crystallize as it cools. Slow cooling generally allows the crystals to grow larger.

Quartz that grows from silica-rich water forms in a similar way. Silicon dioxide dissolves in water, like sugar in tea, but only at high temperature and pressure. Then, when the temperature or pressure drops, the solution becomes saturated, so quartz crystals form.