Quartz is a generic term for crystalline Silicon Dioxide (SiO2).  Silicon is the most common mineral found in the Earth’s crust, and is found virtually everywhere.  Common sand is primarily composed of fine grains of Quartz.

Quartz crystals range in size from the microscopic to the gigantic.  The Graves Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has on display a naturally double-terminated single Quartz crystal only slightly smaller than a Volkswagen (and weighing more!)

Pure Quartz is colorless, however impurities and included minerals can give the crystals color.

There are a wide variety of gems that are, essentially, varieties of Quartz.  These include crystalline varieties, such as:

Amethyst

Carnelian

Citrine

Herkimer Diamond

Onyx

Rock Crystal, and

Cryptocrystalline varieties (not formed into clearly distinct crystals) include:

            Agate

Bloodstone

Chalcedony

Chatoyant  (Cat’s Eye and Tiger’s Eye)

Chrysoprase

And in a class of its own, is the Opal, a form of hydrated Silicon Dioxide, with water trapped in the crystalline matrix.

Most of these will be discussed individually, however, and we will confine this page to a discussion of those stones actually referred to as “Quartz.”

White Quartz, often referred to as “Frozen Light,” or “Ice of Eternity,” is perhaps one of the most powerful stones used by healers and other Magickal practitioners.  It comes in a range of shapes, and ranges from crystal clear to translucent.   The clearest stones have a masculine, projective energy, while the more milky and translucent stones have a feminine, or receptive energy.  (Not wanting to sound sexist, but these terms have been used for thousands of years, and it may be too late to change now.)  The frosty white version of this stone, almost milky in its whiteness, is sometimes called “Snow Quartz.”

This is a “programmable” stone, meaning that one using it can charge it with a variety of types of energy.  It can receive, store, activate, amplify and transmit energy.  It is a great aid for meditation.

In and of itself, however, it is a powerful all-around healer.  It is also used to amplify the powers of other crystals, and is frequently found on the table of a Tarot reader, for example, to help one clarify his or her own psychic readings.  It is especially useful in helping us to focus, concentrate and control our thoughts, intentions and actions.  It stimulates brain functions, amplifying thought forms while at the same time helping to balance the emotions.

White Quartz activates the Crown Chakra, and helps to promote clarity of mind.  It has an affinity with the Archangel Rafael, and aids in study and concentration.  At the same time, this crystal has natural prismatic effects, and can split beams of white light into the seven basic colors of the rainbow, each of which relates to one of the Chakras, simultaneously activating all levels of consciousness.

It aids in helping us to listen to our Higher Selves and our Spirit Guides.  It also helps to dispel negativity, both in our environment and in our own personal energy fields.  

This crystal also helps to stimulate the healthy function of the pineal and pituitary glands.

Rose Quartz:  This beautiful pink crystal is often referred to as the Stone of Romance, and is especially treasured for its ability to evoke love in its most positive forms.  It helps us overcome difficulties in either accepting or giving total love and commitment.  One of the gentlest stones available, it is great for helping to ease heartache or soul trauma.  It reduces stress and helps heal spiritual trauma.  It also helps stimulate the ability to forgive by helping to clear stored negative emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, jealousy, etc.

Rose Quartz .  At the same time, it helps one to achieve emotional release. 

This stone has even been used to encourages a clear and beautiful complexion and to prevent wrinkles. It works on the Thymus Gland to help with weight reduction. (color fades in direct sunlight)

Rose Quartz has been shown to help maintain a healthy heart and circulatory system, as well as aiding the kidneys and urinary tract.  It helps with sexual dysfunction and infertility, while easing emotional imbalance.

Smoky Quartz or Cairngorm (from the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland.)   The brownish gray, smoky color of this variety of Quartz is caused by exposure to Gamma radiation from naturally radioactive minerals or solutions. 

As a healing stone, Smoky Quartz aids in the proper functioning of the adrenals, the kidneys and the pancreas.  It has a relaxing effect, helping to block negativity, and aiding in meditation.  It also helps develop ones latent abilities as a Channel, or Medium.

Smoky Quartz stimulates and purifies the base Chakra and stimulates the movement of Kundalini Energy by channeling the white light energy of the Crown Chakra into the First Chakra. 

It is believed to help one come to terms with their own circumstances, becoming more acceptant of their own bodies and lives.  It helps us to make our dreams into reality.  It stimulates pride, self respect and self esteem. 

In Scotland, those fighting for independence frequently set the Cairngorm in the hilts of dirks and daggers, where it was believed to enhance endurance and strength. 

Smoky Quartz is especially useful for grounding and draining away negative energy.

It increases fertility, balances sexual energy and helps to alleviate depression.

Sleeping with a Smoky Quartz under the pillow can help one remember and understand the significance of dreams.

Rutilated Quartz:  Sometimes called “Venus Hair,” in honor of the Goddess of Love, this highly electrical (and exotically beautiful) variety of stone is actually a combination of two different minerals.  Rutile, a crystalline form of Titanium Oxide, form hair-like crystal needles that may be embedded in Quartz crystals.   Rutile is most commonly found in large chunks, and is an ore from which commercial extraction of Titanium is practical.

The most common colors for Rutile in Rutilated Quartz are golden, silvery, pinkish gold and coppery colors however other colors ranging from red to black are sometimes seen.  The golden needles in Clear Quartz are particularly beautiful and possess an extremely high energy.

In terms of healing, Rutilated Quartz boosts the immune system while energizing and balancing the body, mind and spirit.  It helps stimulate tissue regeneration and slows the diseases associated with aging.  It prevents depression, eases fear and paranoia, and helps one find inspiration.  Rutilated Quartz also helps us to integrate the Universal Life Force into our bodies.

It also stimulates brain functions, boosts clairvoyance, thought projection and other psychic gifts.  It also helps in finding answers to questions, particularly those requiring access to past-life memories or the Akashic records.

Tourmalinated Quartz:  Another combination of two minerals, White Quartz and Black Tourmaline, this stone is ideal for achieving balance.  It is highly protective, and a powerful aid in dissipation of negativity.  This stone is especially useful in any sort of healing or Magickal working which necessitates bringing opposites into balance.  For healing, it is good for helping to reduce fever. 

The black, which tends to neutralize negativity, works with the white, to enhance positive energy.  This is a crystalline example of the Yin-Yang principle made manifest, balancing light and dark, male and female.  In Magickal work, Tourmalinated Quartz is used to aid in astral projection.

Herkimer Diamond:  This is a spectacularly clear type of quartz crystal, with exceedingly high vibration.  It is a potent energizer and amplifier, and is good for helping to cleanse the Aura.  Herkimer Diamonds reduce stress by balancing and purifying energy within the body/mind/spirit.

It stores energy and thought forms, along with a variety of other types of information.  It also encourages memory and interpretation of dream messages and enhances a variety of psychic gifts.

Blue Quartz: While sometimes mistaken for a Blue Topaz, the Blue Quartz is a fine stone in its own right.  It is especially useful in the search for peace and tranquility.  At the same time, it stimulates creativity and expression, and is a great aid in meditation.

Green Quartz:  This stone is used to stimulate creativity and enhance communication.  It is an all-around healer, helping to ease pain while soothing and balancing the energies of the ill.

Like many other green stones, Green Quartz is especially useful in spells and rituals designed to promote prosperity.

Other Uses:  Aside from their healing, esthetic and Magickal properties, Quartz crystals also have important industrial uses, primarily deriving from their piezoelectric qualities.  These qualities make it extremely important in electronics.  Many solid-state devices, including transistors and microchips owe much to the physical properties of silicon, the primary ingredient in Quartz.

It is no coincidence that the center of computer development in the United States has been nicknamed “Silicon Valley.”

The major ingredient in glass, Silicon is also used as an alloying agent or a flux in the smelting of metals.