6,493
edits
Difference between revisions of "Quartz"
no edit summary
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
The word "quartz" is derived from the German word "Quarz," which had the same form in the first half of the 14th century in Middle High German and in East Central German and which came from the Polish dialect term kwardy, which corresponds to the Czech term ''tvrdý'' ("hard"). | The word "quartz" is derived from the German word "Quarz," which had the same form in the first half of the 14th century in Middle High German and in East Central German and which came from the Polish dialect term kwardy, which corresponds to the Czech term ''tvrdý'' ("hard"). | ||
The Ancient Greeks referred to quartz as κρύσταλλος (''krustallos'') derived from the Ancient Greek κρύος (''kruos'') meaning "icy cold," because some philosophers (including Theophrastus) apparently believed the mineral to be a form of supercooled ice. Today, the term rock crystal is sometimes used as an alternative name for transparent coarsely crystalline quartz. | The Ancient Greeks referred to quartz as κρύσταλλος (''krustallos'') derived from the Ancient Greek κρύος (''kruos'') meaning "icy cold," because some philosophers (including Theophrastus) apparently believed the mineral to be a form of supercooled ice. Today, the term ''rock [[crystal]]'' is sometimes used as an alternative name for transparent coarsely crystalline quartz. | ||
==History of human use== | ==History of human use== | ||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
While jade has been since earliest times the most prized semi-precious stone for carving in East Asia and Pre-Columbian America, in Europe and the Middle East the different varieties of quartz were the most commonly used for the various types of jewelry and hardstone carving, including engraved gems and cameo gems, rock crystal vases, and extravagant vessels. The tradition continued to produce objects that were very highly valued until the mid-19th century, when it largely fell from fashion except in jewelry. Cameo technique exploits the bands of color in onyx and other varieties. | While jade has been since earliest times the most prized semi-precious stone for carving in East Asia and Pre-Columbian America, in Europe and the Middle East the different varieties of quartz were the most commonly used for the various types of jewelry and hardstone carving, including engraved gems and cameo gems, rock crystal vases, and extravagant vessels. The tradition continued to produce objects that were very highly valued until the mid-19th century, when it largely fell from fashion except in jewelry. Cameo technique exploits the bands of color in onyx and other varieties. | ||
Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder believed quartz to be water ice, permanently frozen after great lengths of time. (The word "crystal" comes from the Greek word κρύσταλλος, "ice".) He supported this idea by saying that quartz is found near glaciers in the Alps, but not on volcanic mountains, and that large quartz | Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder believed quartz to be water ice, permanently frozen after great lengths of time. (The word "crystal" comes from the Greek word κρύσταλλος, "ice".) He supported this idea by saying that quartz is found near glaciers in the Alps, but not on volcanic mountains, and that large quartz [[crystal]]s were fashioned into spheres to cool the hands. This idea persisted until at least the 17th century. He also knew of the ability of quartz to split light into a spectrum. | ||
In the 17th century, Nicolas Steno's study of quartz paved the way for modern crystallography. He discovered that regardless of a quartz crystal's size or shape, its long prism faces always joined at a perfect 60° angle. | In the 17th century, Nicolas Steno's study of quartz paved the way for modern crystallography. He discovered that regardless of a quartz crystal's size or shape, its long prism faces always joined at a perfect 60° angle. | ||
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
==Spiritual uses== | ==Spiritual uses== | ||
Quartz crystal is prized in the esoteric community for varied uses. It is considered a powerful healing mineral able to work on any condition. Due to its many uses, quartz has been called the "Universal Crystal" because is beneficial for manifesting, healing, [[meditation]], protection, and [[channeling]]. As a stone with the ability to bring balance, quartz is excellent for harmonizing and stabilizing the surrounding environment and can be helpful in romantic relationships. | Quartz [[crystal]] is prized in the esoteric community for varied uses. It is considered a powerful healing mineral able to work on any condition. Due to its many uses, quartz has been called the "Universal Crystal" because is beneficial for manifesting, healing, [[meditation]], protection, and [[channeling]]. As a stone with the ability to bring balance, quartz is excellent for harmonizing and stabilizing the surrounding environment and can be helpful in romantic relationships. | ||
Quartz is an intensely spiritual stone with the ability to enhance spiritual growth, spirituality, and wisdom. Because it clarifies thought processes and emotions, it can increase inspiration and creativity. It can also help with concentration, studying, and retention of knowledge. | Quartz is an intensely spiritual stone with the ability to enhance spiritual growth, spirituality, and wisdom. Because it clarifies thought processes and emotions, it can increase inspiration and creativity. It can also help with concentration, studying, and retention of knowledge. | ||
| Line 61: | Line 61: | ||
==Mining== | ==Mining== | ||
Quartz is extracted from open pit mines. Miners occasionally use explosives to expose deep pockets of quartz. More frequently, bulldozers and backhoes are used to remove soil and clay and expose quartz veins, which are then worked using hand tools. Care must be taken to avoid sudden temperature changes that may damage the | Quartz is extracted from open pit mines. Miners occasionally use explosives to expose deep pockets of quartz. More frequently, bulldozers and backhoes are used to remove soil and clay and expose quartz veins, which are then worked using hand tools. Care must be taken to avoid sudden temperature changes that may damage the [[crystal]]s. | ||
Almost all the industrial demand for quartz crystal (used primarily in electronics) is met with synthetic quartz produced by the hydrothermal process. However, synthetic crystals are less prized for use as gemstones. The popularity of crystal healing has increased the demand for natural quartz crystals, which are now often mined in developing countries using primitive mining methods, sometimes involving child labor. | Almost all the industrial demand for quartz crystal (used primarily in electronics) is met with synthetic quartz produced by the hydrothermal process. However, synthetic crystals are less prized for use as gemstones. The popularity of crystal healing has increased the demand for natural quartz crystals, which are now often mined in developing countries using primitive mining methods, sometimes involving child labor. | ||
[[Category:Gemstones]] | [[Category:Gemstones]] | ||