This mineral might be one of the most abundant on earth, but how many facts about quartz do you really know? Let’s find out now!
Quartz is everywhere. Did you know it’s the second most abundant mineral in the world? In fact, you can find bits of quartz in every single rock on earth!
And while you might find quartz in various colors, in its natural state it is always colorless. When different elements grow with the quartz, the mineral takes on new colors. If you have amethyst earrings, it’s simply quartz with iron.
These are just some of the fun facts about quartz you’ll learn about in this article!
We’re not going to lie, we have a huge respect for quartz. It’s one of those minerals you don’t realize how important it is until you read about it. That’s where we come in.
Quartz is used in so many things, from floors to counters to decorations. It even helps us tell the time in our watches (which is fascinating when you think about it).
If you are interested in learning more about this abundant and beautiful mineral, check out all of our quartz facts. We promise you you’ll learn something new!
11 Fun Facts About Quartz
1. Quartz is colorless
In its purest form, quartz has no color at all. It can either be transparent or opaque, but still without color.
When other minerals grow with the quartz, you get a variety of colors. The beautiful purple hue of amethyst comes from iron. Citrine is also quartz that gets its yellow color from added minerals.
2. We can make it artificially
While quartz is widely available in nature, it is relatively cheap and easy to artificially make quartz. This means it is very easy to use in a variety of ways like on countertops and appliances.
3. It’s versatile
While many people wear quartz in jewelry, this is far from the only use. This mineral is widely used in electronics like radios, robotics, clocks, watches, and more. Quartz is used to transfer mechanical energy.
And next time you look out the window or use a glass, remember this quartz fact: sand that contains this mineral is the base of most types of glass!
4. It comes in all shapes and sizes
When you see quartz at the store, it is likely quite different from how it was found. Quartz can grow in large or small masses, as well as clusters.
Before selling, this mineral is cut or carved and then polished to take on the final shape. You might find quartz shaped into spheres, pyramids, and even wands! You can also find crystal points, either raw or polished.
5. Quartz has had many purposes throughout history
Of course, many people have used quartz to adorn their clothes and jewelry. But many ancient civilizations also believed this mineral had healing powers.
People would use quartz to ward off sickness and cure headaches and general ailments.
6. This mineral is symmetrical
When found in nature, quartz is almost always symmetrical. It also has identical accreted crystals. Scientists aren’t quite sure why it occurs this way naturally.
7. The name means “solid”
The word quartz comes from the German word quartz. It comes from the word kwardy, which means solid or hard. This name is quite fitting because quartz is rated 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the harder minerals.
For comparison, a diamond is a 10. But this is one of the hardest substances on earth.
8. Check your counters
Granite is a common material used in homes, very often in countertops. This beautiful and durable igneous rock contains quartz. In fact, granite is usually at least 20% quartz! This mineral is what gives granite that beautiful, shiny look.
Quartz is so abundant that just about every rock in the world at least contains trace amounts of it. In fact, about 12% of the earth’s crust is quartz mixed with other minerals.
9. It’s found everywhere
You can find quartz in just about every continent and country in the world. However, there are certain areas with a higher concentration.
For example, you can find large quartz mines in Brazil. But, the largest quartz ever mined is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. One piece was found in Arkansas in 2016, weighs 8,000 pounds, and stands over six feet tall.
10. It has two basic components
While many additional minerals and chemicals can grow within quartz, its makeup is relatively simple. All quartz is made of both silicon and oxygen.
The crystalline makeup of quartz is SiO2. This means that two oxygen and one silicon dioxide continuously repeat and a tetrahedra makeup.
11. It’s perfect for counters
Quartz is the perfect material for interior decorating and remodeling. Quartz is eco-friendly, and the stone used for most interior jobs is manufactured, meaning counters and floors are not made of solid quartz. Most pieces are made from quartz along with resin and polyesters.
Across the board, much of the quartz used in homes is made from recycled materials.
Who wants more fun facts?
If you’re looking for some recommendations, these are a few of our favorite fact books to buy. We use these when planning fun trivia nights with family and friends!
These fun facts about quartz should keep you entertained while you’re wiping down your granite counters or polishing your quartz jewelry.
If we’ve missed any quartz facts, you can let us know in the comments below and we’ll add them to this list!
