Quartz Crystal
Quartz is a power stone, often called the "Universal Crystal." It is silicon dioxide, whose mineral name is silica. Silica is the most common mineral in the Earth's crust; it is the stuff of sand and opals alike. Glass is transparent silica, an amorphic variation of quartz. "Rock crystal" is glass-clear quartz, highly prized among healers for its metaphysical and healing properties.
Quartz crystals are hexagonal (six-sided). They often form columns tipped with chisel-like points which focus and direct the crystal's power. Sometimes other minerals crystallize visibly within a clear crystal of quartz, forming "rutilated" quartz. "Ghost" quartz includes shadowy crystals of quartz that form within a larger crystal.
Quartz is the "secret ingredient" of many other named stones, crystals, and gems. Quartz is the stuff of amethyst, ametrine, aventurine, chalcedony, agate, bloodstone, carnelian, citrine, onyx, chrysoprase, and jasper, to name just a fraction of the quartz family.
Chatoyant or "cat's eye" varieties of quartz include tiger's eye, hawk's eye, and quartz cat's eye (not to be confused with the artificial cat's-eye, which is manmade by fusing together fibers of glass).
Rose quartz is a pink variety of quartz especially prized for its gentle, loving vibrations. Smoky quartz is a clear, transparent brown. Green quartz is high in chromium and may be mistaken for peridot or emerald.
Clear crystal quartz balls -- "crystal balls" -- have long been used for fortune-telling. Quartz points often tip healers' and magicians' wands. Quartz pendants are worn to energize all of the chakras and protect the wearer from every conceivable malevolent spell or negative energy.
Merchants say that perfect quartz crystals are the most powerful and therefore worth much more money. But others claim that quartz crystal need not be perfect in order to fully manifest its power.
Quartz may be piezoelectric, generating an electric current when it is compressed, bent, or struck. Quartz can actually double one's bioelectric field, enhancing your energy and life force. It is said that quartz stores karmic information and be used to trap or dispel negative or unwanted consequences of one's actions.
Quartz is the Tibetan mystical birth stone for the month of October. In astrology, quartz is associated with Scorpio. Formed in fire, quartz rules the fiery Zodiac signs of Leo, Gemini, and Capricorn.
Called the "do-anything stone," quartz can be found in hundreds of forms and has thousands of metaphysical and healing uses.