Quartzcommon chameleon
If you gaze deep into a crystal ball, you will see a versatile gemstone, one of
the most popular gems on earth. Beautiful quartz, the rock crystal used in
ancient times to make crystal balls and bowls, is today more often seen set in
gold jewellery. Despite the popularity of quartz gems like amethyst, citrine,
ametrine, rose quartz, onyx, agates, chrysoprase, rutilated quartz and other
varieties, many people in the jewellery industry take quartz for granted because
of its affordable price.
Throughout history, quartz has been the common chameleon of gemstones, standing
in for more expensive gemstones ranging from diamond to jade. But the incredible
variety of quartz is now beginning to be appreciated in its own right.
Purple to violet amethyst and yellow to orange citrine are jewellery staples
that continue to increase in popularity. Ametrine combines the appeal of both
amethyst and citrine, purple and yellow in one gemstone. Different colours and
types of chalcedony, from agate to chrysoprase, have grown in popularity with
the growing appreciation for carved gemstones and artistic cutting and carving.
And unusual specialities like drusy quartz, with its surface covered by tiny
sparking crystals, and rutilated quartz, which has a landscape of shining gold
needles inside it, are adding variety and natures artistry to unusual
one-of-a-kind jewellery.
Rose quartz
The pale pink colour of quartz, which can range from transparent to translucent,
is known as rose quartz. The colour is a very pale and delicate powder pink.
Transparent rose quartz is very rare, and usually so pale that it does not show
very much colour at all except in large sizes. Translucent rose quartz is much
more readily available, being used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and
architectural purposes.
Smoky quartzSmoky quartz is a brown transparent quartz that is sometimes used for unusual
faceted cuts. The commercial market is limited, because there is a rather
limited demand for brown gemstones. This variety was sometimes known as smoky
topaz in the past, though the term is incorrect and misleading.
Rock crystalThe transparent, colourless variety of quartz is still known as rock crystal.
Long ago, people believed that rock crystal was a compact form of ice: in fact
crystallos means ice. The best rock crystal has the clarity and shimmer of
water. Although colourless quartz is relatively common, large flawless specimens
are not, which is why crystal balls these days are made of glass, not quartz.
Rock crystal has often been used in jewellery, particularly carved pieces. Many
stunning art deco jewellery designs featured the black and white quartz
combination of rock crystal and onyx. Colourless quartz crystals have also
become popular in jewellery due to the popularity of legends about their powers.
Many people believe that wearing quartz crystals benefits their health and
spiritual well-being.
Rutilated quartz and tourmalinated quartz While most varieties of transparent quartz are valued most when they show no
inclusions, some are valued chiefly because of them! The most popular of these
is known as rutilated quartz. Rutilated quartz is transparent rock crystal with
golden needles of rutile arrayed in patterns inside it. Each pattern is
different and some are breathtakingly beautiful. The inclusions are sometimes
called Venus hair. Less well known is a variety called tourmalinated quartz
which, instead of golden rutile, has black or dark green tourmaline crystals.
ChalcedoniesQuartz that is formed not of one single crystal but a number of finely grained
microcrystals is known as chalcedony. The variety of chalcedonies is even
greater than that of transparent quartz, including cryptocrystalline quartz with
patterns as well as a wide range of solid colours. Agates are banded. Bloodstone
has red spots on a green background. Moss agate has a plant-like pattern. Jasper
sometimes looks like a landscape painting. Another staple of the jewellery
industry is black onyx, chalcedony quartz which owes its even black colour to an
ancient dyeing process that is still used today. Carnelian, another chalcedony
valued in the ancient world, has a vivid brownish orange colour and clear
translucency that makes it popular for signet rings and seals. Chrysoprase, a
bright, apple-green, translucent chalcedony, is the most valued. It was a
particular favourite of Frederick The Great of Prussia. It can be seen today
decorating many buildings in beautiful Prague, including the Chapel of St
Wenceslas. Today, chrysoprase is found mostly in Australia. Unlike most other
green stones, which owe their colour to chromium or vanadium, chrysoprase
derives its colour from nickel. Its bright even colour and texture lend
themselves well to beads, cabochons, and carvings. |
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