Grey Quartz

Gemstone: Grey Quartz Birthstone Month: Grey Quartz is not associated with any particular birthstone month. Zodiac: Grey Quartz is not associated with any particular zodiac sign. Chemical Symbol: SiO2 Chemical Make-up: Grey Quartz is a Silicon Dioxide. History & Lore: There is not 100% agreement regarding the exact origins of the name Quartz, but the two most widely accepted opinions are that the word Quartz is derived from the Greek 'krystallos', meaning “ice”, or the German 'quarz'. Some of the earliest primitive tools fashioned by man some 2.5 million years ago, and discovered in the Omo valley in Ethiopia were made of Quartz. It is believed that Quartz was used because of its hardness and isotropic brittleness that made the fashioning of the tools relatively easy. Chipped flint projectile points used for fire-making have been found on Mousterian sites in western Europe that date back around 40,000 years. In addition to its use in tool-making, certain varieties of Quartz were used for divination. Spherical Quartz rock crystals were often shaped into crystal balls and used for disease diagnosis and awareness of events occurring in distant places. More recently there was major production of synthetic Quartz during World War II. This synthetic Quartz was used to supply crystals for radios.

Today, Quartz is not only used for gemstone purposes, but also as a raw chemical ingredient in the manufacturing of abrasives, cements, concrete, porcelain, glass, and many other industrial materials. Because of its piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties, Quartz is commonly used in the production of watches, clocks, computers, and radios. Grey Quartz is believed to help stabilize energies and develop serenity. In addition to this, it is believed to bring inspiration to the wearer and strengthen creativity. Availability: Quartz is one of the most abundant single minerals on Earth - it makes up close to 12% of the Earth's crust, and occurs in a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Grey Quartz is readily available at affordable prices. Sources: Grey Quartz deposits occur worldwide. Evaluation: Quartz is rated at 6.5 to 7 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness and besides for all of its practical uses, Quartz is greatly important in the gemtrade, accounting for a vast, diverse population of gemstones that are for the most part suitable for all jewelry applications. This family of gemstones offered by Quartz exhibit each color of the spectrum with unique attributes that can match your very own unique individuality. The bluish grey color of Grey Quartz is due to a fibrous material which is included in the Quartz stone. Large, eye-clean stones with a strong color saturation will naturally be at the pinnacle of the value spectrum. Common Cuts: Grey Quartz can generally be cut into all of the common gemstone shapes/cuts. Routine Enhancements: There are no known enhancements for Grey Quartz. Care & Cleaning: Grey Quart is generally best cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft brush. As with most gemstones, Grey Quartz should be kept away from household chemicals and from prolonged exposure to extremes of heat as this can cause damage or permanent changes in coloration. Grey Quartz jewelry should be kept in a fabric-lined box away from other jewelry items in order to avoid scratching.