Facts

Abundant mineral: Clear quartz is one of the most common minerals found on Earth and is part of the larger quartz family, which includes amethyst, citrine, and smoky quartz.

Historical significance: The ancient Greeks believed clear quartz was eternal ice, permanently frozen by the gods.

Piezoelectric properties: Clear quartz is used in modern technology due to its piezoelectric effect, where it generates an electric charge under pressure.

Found worldwide: Major deposits of Clear Quartz are found in Brazil, Madagascar, Switzerland, and the United States.

Science

Mineral: Quartz
Crystal System: Trigonal
Chemistry: SiO₂
Colour: Colourless
Refractive Index: 1.544 to 1.553
Birefringence: 0.009
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Mohs Hardness: 7

Similar Materials

Glass: Transparent glass can look like clear quartz but is softer and lacks the crystalline structure.

Clear calcite: Though also transparent, calcite is softer and often exhibits strong birefringence, setting it apart from clear quartz.

Topaz: A clear variety of topaz can resemble clear quartz, but topaz is harder and more valuable.

Treatments

Clear quartz is generally untreated, though it can be artificially enhanced in some cases, such as irradiation or heat treatment to create other quartz varieties like smoky quartz or amethyst.

Synthetics

Synthetic quartz is produced in laboratories, primarily for industrial uses like watches and electronics. While it is virtually identical to natural clear quartz in terms of chemical composition and structure, it is not commonly used in jewellery as natural quartz is abundant.

Imitations

Clear quartz can be imitated by glass, often in costume jewellery, but these imitations lack the durability and brilliance of natural quartz.