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'''Quartz''' is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica (silicon dioxide). There are many different varieties of quartz, several of which are classified as gemstones. Since antiquity, varieties of quartz have been the most commonly used minerals in the making of jewelry and hardstone carvings, especially in Eurasia. | '''Quartz''' is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica (silicon dioxide). There are many different varieties of quartz, several of which are classified as gemstones. Since antiquity, varieties of quartz have been the most commonly used minerals in the making of jewelry and hardstone carvings, especially in Eurasia. | ||
Quartz is the mineral defining the value of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, a qualitative scratch method for determining the hardness of a material to abrasion. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, behind feldspar. | Quartz is the mineral defining the value of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, a qualitative scratch method for determining the hardness of a material to abrasion. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in [[Earth]]'s continental crust, behind feldspar. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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==Egyptian spiritual use== | ==Egyptian spiritual use== | ||
[[File:Carnelian seal.jpg|350px|thumb|Egyptian seal made of carnelian showing Osiris, Pharaoh Amenhotep III and two goddesses]] | [[File:Carnelian seal.jpg|350px|thumb|Egyptian seal made of carnelian showing Osiris, Pharaoh Amenhotep III and two goddesses]] | ||
Ancient Egyptians valued quartz and frequently carved it into vessels for use in everyday life. The Egyptian word for quartz was ''mnw''. In the [[Pyramid Texts]], Spells 54 and 55 | Ancient Egyptians valued quartz and frequently carved it into vessels for use in everyday life. The Egyptian word for quartz was ''mnw''. In the [[Pyramid Texts]], Spells 54 and 55 offers the [[Horus|Eye of Horus]] wine in a white quartz bowl and beer in a smoky quartz bowl. Grave goods made of quartz in the form of vases and beer glasses have been found in Egyptian tombs dating to at least the First Intermediate Period (2100 BC). They also frequently carved seals and protective amulets out of quartz or varieties of quartz. | ||
Many of the [[Egyptian decans]] had quartz as the primary mineral by which they could be honored or invoked. | Many of the [[Egyptian decans]] had quartz as the primary mineral by which they could be honored or invoked. | ||