Physical Characteristics: Quartz Thumbnail. Box measures 1.5" x 1.5" x 3/4". From Placerville County, California. A silicon dioxide crystal. Hardness of 7. The quartz family (silicates) is quite large, and varieties are found all over the world. Quartz is piezoelectric--when pressure is applied it produces electromagnetic energy, and when electrical current is applied the crystal will oscillate. Quartz crystals have been harnessed in everyday items such as watches and cellular phones.
Metaphysical Properties: Quartz crystals are an energy amplifier, emitter, and channeler. It can be "programmed" by absorbing the user's intentions, and then re-transmitting and focusing those intentions when needed. It makes a great companion stone, assisting the energies of other stones as well as the people working with it. Clear quartz crystals are translucent to transparent, and often contain "fire" (places where the light is diffracted into rainbow patterns). There are also various formations, each with its own significance.
