Quartz

Alternate Names & Name Spellings: Rock Crystal

Chemical Composition: SiO2
Hardness (Mohs): 7
Color(s): Clear, White, Pink, Brown, Gray, Black, Green, Blue, Orange, Purple (Amethyst), Yellow (Citrine)
Lustre: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent, Translucent
Habit: widely variable, trigonal-trapezohedral, crystals often columnar
Common Locations: Found all over the world, most notably Brazil and Arkansas, USA.

Rock Lore & Tidbits: Quartz is the most common mineral on the planet. It is a component of a huge variety of rock types, and comes in an extensive range of colors and varieties. Chalcedony is a crypto-crystalline variety of quartz and includes the agate and jasper families. Many colors of quartz or formations have their own names, such as amethyst for purple quartz. The word quartz is thought to come from the German word "quarz", but the origin of that word is not known. The word crystal, however, comes from the Greek word "krystallos" which means ice. Ancient Japanese believed quartz formed from the breath of a white dragon, and regarded it as representing perfection. Australian Aborigines used quartz in rain rituals. Crystals skulls were reportedly made by Atlanteans and are believed by some to be living entities. Clear quartz formed into spheres have been used as crystal balls to predict the future at least since the middle ages.

Metaphysical and Healing Properties Lore

Keywords: Power, Clarity

Quartz is a power stone. It has been called the "Universal Crystal", and is the most recognized type of crystal. It's what many people envision when they think of crystals, even though there are many types of crystals. Quartz can be icy clear or have inclusions, veils, bubbles, etc. Visual clarity normally isn't important to a quartz crystal's energetic quality and ability to amplify subtle energies.

Quartz enhances energy by absorbing, storing, amplifying, balancing, focusing and transmitting. It channels universal energy. Quartz also enhances thoughts, as they are a form of energy. Because it directs and amplifies energy, it is extremely beneficial for manifesting, healing, meditation, protection, and channeling. It is also beneficial for storing and retrieving information of all types, as information is a form of energy pattern also. This makes them particularly good for programming. Due to its ability to balance, quartz is excellent for harmonizing and balancing one's environment. Quartz is also good for energizing other crystals.

Quartz is a stone of clarity which dispels negativity and clears away negative energy. It can be used to purify and clarify on the spiritual, mental, and physical planes. It is also powerfully protective. Quartz enhances spiritual growth, spirituality and wisdom. Because it clarifies though processes and emotions it increases inspiration and creativity. It can also help particularly with concentration, studying, and retaining what one learns. Quartz is also a stone of harmony because it balances energies, and is even helpful in romantic relationships.

Psychically, quartz is a powerful stone. It is used for protection because it counters black magic and protects from negative energy. Quartz is very useful on the third eye chakra for clarity of psychic vision, and can be used to communicate with spirits and other worlds. Quartz is a stone that can access ancient wisdom and bring it into the present. It is a very good stone for astral travel, manifestation, scrying, channeling, dream recall and dream work.

Quartz is a Master Healer stone. It is an excellent all purpose healer. It amplifies healing energy and is used to perform diagnostic healing. It has been used historically to detect food poison. It is said to draw out pain. Quartz fortifies and strengthens all systems of the body. Quartz is reputed to be particularly effective for chronic fatigue, arthritis, bone injuries, depression, fibromyalgia, intestinal troubles.
It also improves mental and physical energy, stamina, and physical strength .

Clear quartz is associated with the crown chakra, but also works effectively to balance and energize all chakras.