Description

Pure quartz, traditionally called rock crystal or clear quartz, is colorless and transparent or translucent, and has often been used for hardstone carvings. The word crystal is derived from the ancient Greek word Krystallos, meaning “clear ice“. Quartz crystals are rotary polar and have the ability to rotate the plane of polarization of light passing through them. When subjugated to pressure, quartz crystals become polarized with a negative charge on one end and a positive charge on the other. They will vibrate if an alternating electric occurrent is applied to them. Quartz crystals are important in industry for making gauges, oscillators, and watches and clocks (quartz movement). Quartz crystal is the alternate birthstone for the month of April.

Size and shape vary.