Quartz

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Refractive Index : 1.553 – 1.544

Optical Characteristic : DR, Biaxial positive

Specific Gravity : 2.651 (+0.04 – 0.01)

Formula : SiO2

Crystal System : Trigonal

Variety/Species : All

Species/Group : quartz

Birefringence : 0.009

Dispersion : 0.013

Hardness : 7

Toughness : good

Ultrasonic : Usually safe

Steam : risky

UV Long : Inert

UV Short : Inert

Pleochroism : 2 colors

Strength : very weak

Pleochroism Colors : Varies. see individual varieties

Heat : Avoid abrupt temperature change

Acids : Avoid hydrofluoric acid

Light : stable

Polish Luster : vitreous

Fracture : conchoidal

Fracture Luster : Vitreous

Clarity Type : N/A

Tones : N/A

Saturations : N/A

Cause of Color : Blue – cobalt

Enhancements : None

Cleavage : None

Color Range : Almost any color: Orangy red, red-orange, orange-red, reddish orange, orange, bluish, greenish yellowish orange, orangy yellow, greenish blue, bluish purple, black, brown, pink yellow, greenish yellow, yellow- green, green-yellow, bluish green, green blue, blue green yellowish brown, yellowish white, brownish yellow,yellowish, reddish, pinkish, brownish, pinkish

See also: rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, praseolite, milky quartz, dumotierite quartz.

Transparency : Transparent

Phenomena : chatoyancy, aventurescence, asterism

Separations : Quartz from-
Synthetic Quartz : magnification, Brazil law twinning pattern (as seen under polarized light), color (possible)

Identifying Characteristics and information
See varieties for more information (Rock Crystal, amethyst, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz etc).

Spectral Data
not diagnostic.

Trade Names and Misnomers
Amethyst
Angel Hair
Aventurine(S)
Beach Moonstone(M)
Cape May Diamond(M)
Chinese Turquoise(M)(2)
Citrine(S)
Cristobalite
Crystalliane Emerald(M)
Dauphin Diamond(M)
Gold Quartz(S)

List of Gemstones | Rare Minerals | Gem stones | Gems » Aventurine

Quartz