Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz tumbled

A variety of Quartz

Clear Quartz specimen

What is Clear Quartz?

Also known as Rock Crystal, clear Quartz is a transparent and colorless Quartz crystal that is prized as a gemstone and is regularly cut into beads, cabochons, and faceted gems. This pure form of Quartz has been used for millennia in many cultures. Beads made of clear Quartz were a part of jewelry in ancient Mesopotamia in the 7th Millennium BC, and Aboriginal Australians used it as a talisman.

Optical Properties

Refractive Index
1.544-1.553
Birefringence
0.009
Pleochroism
Weakly dichroic
Optical Character
Biaxial positive
Dispersion
0.013

Market Value Factors

Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Clear Quartz before comparing listings or appraisals.

Size & Weight

Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.

Rarity & Demand

Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.

Condition & Finish

Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.

Treatment & Provenance

Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.

Applies to all rocks & minerals.

Clear Quartz Localities Map

See where Clear Quartz is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview
North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Interactive map layers and collecting notes are available in the app.

Key Characteristics

Rock Types of Clear Quartz

Common colored varieties include citrine, rose quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, milky quartz, and others. These color differentiations arise from the presence of impurities which change the molecular orbitals, causing some electronic transitions to take place in the visible spectrum causing colors. Polymorphs of quartz include: α-quartz (low), β-quartz, tridymite, moganite, cristobalite, coesite, and stishovite.

Composition of Clear Quartz

Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms.

Health & Safety Information

  • ⚠️As quartz is a form of silica, it is a possible cause for concern in various workplaces. Cutting, grinding, chipping, sanding, drilling, and polishing natural and manufactured stone products can release hazardous levels of very small, crystalline silica dust particles into the air that workers breathe. Crystalline silica of respirable size is a recognized human carcinogen and may lead to other diseases of the lungs such as silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis.

More Images

Clear Quartz specimen

Quick Facts

Physical Properties

Color
Clear, Colorless
Hardness (Mohs)
7
Streak
White

Chemical Properties

Chemical Formula
SiO2
Elements
Si, O
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Clear Quartz FAQs

How do I identify Clear Quartz?

Clear Quartz can be identified by its hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, Clear color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Clear Quartz?

Clear Quartz typically appears in Clear, Colorless. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Clear Quartz?

Clear Quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a relatively hard mineral suitable for jewelry.

What is the rock types of clear quartz of Clear Quartz?

Common colored varieties include citrine, rose quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, milky quartz, and others. These color differentiations arise from the presence of impurities which change the molecular orbitals, causing some electronic transitions to take place in the visible spectrum causing colors. Polymorphs of quartz include: α-quartz (low), β-quartz, tridymite, moganite, cristobalite, coesite, and stishovite.

What is the composition of clear quartz of Clear Quartz?

Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms.

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