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Gem/Topic of the Month

Each month this section will feature either a topic of interest to gem lovers or one special gemstonespecies with background on the material and its value.

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November, 2004

Rock Crystal Quartz

I really had no thought of writing an essay about what I considered the least interesting of the crystalline quartz varieties: rock crystal. That is, until a friend gave me a gift of a beautiful "coffee table" book called Rock Crystal Treasures: From Antiquity to Today. The breathtaking pictures and well researched text served well, to give me a needed "attitude adjustment".

The term, rock crystal, in use today, derives from the Greek word "krystallos" meaning - ice. In a treatise written around 300 BCE, Theophrastus (a pupil of Aristotle) explains the origin of rock crystal as being from ice that forms at such a high altitude, and therefore such a cold temperature that it was incapable of melting. This idea held sway until the 17th century when large deposits were located in Brazil, an obviously warm location. Today's major sources are Brazil and Madagascar with important secondary deposits in many other places including Arkankas and New York in the USA.

"Quartz Sceptre"
The Greeks were not the first appreciators of this gem, however. Babylonians circa 2000 BCE were advised that owning amulets or seals of rock crystals would increase a man's wealth and possessions. Collecting of rock crystal specimens with what were viewed as metaphysically important inclusions was a pasttime of the wealthy in ancient China. These items, purchased for purposes of contemplation and spiritual enlightenment, were sometimes gained at great price -- as there are records of rich men spending themselves into ruin to obtain the best pieces.

Included quartzes also have a small share of today's commerce: with over 40 minerals known to occur as inclusions in quartz there are still plenty of specimens for the interested collector.

Rock crystal with inclusions of: tourmaline, pyrtie, edenite

Rock crystal balls and skull carvings have long been given special significance in divination and necromancy. These artifacts have an enthusiastic audience in today's world, although cheap glass imitations abound. (By the way, the doubly refractive nature of quartz makes a dual image visible through them, not seen with glass). Early Christian art makes frequent use of rock crystal to symbolize purity, by its association with the Virgin Mary or angelic figures in paintings, tapestries and other art objects.

Jewelers from earliest times until today have used rock crystal liberally. Some of the most well known and photographed examples include Edwardian, Art Noveau and Art Deco pieces in museum collections.

In today's gem market, the place of rock crystal is a modest one. New facetors often choose it as an inexpensive, yet natural, practice material and carvers appreciate the availability of large, inclusion free pieces.

Carved rock crystal

For the last several decades colorless quartz has been made in laboratories for use in communications and electronic equipment. Although colored synthetic quartzes are something to worry about when purchasing amethysts or citrines, natural quartz still reigns for gem use, as it is cheaper and more abundant than the man made version.

Value Factors

As huge crystals are available, the value of gems or carvings from this material is almost entirely due to the beauty, interest or artistry of the piece.

Gemological Properties:

Chemical Composition: SiO₂

Crystal System: Trigonal

RI: 1.54 - 1.55

Density: 2.65

Fluorescence: none

Luster: vitreous

Hardness: 7

Fracture: conchoidal

Fluorescence: none

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