QUARTZ GEODE

A geode, from the Ancient Greek term “geṓdēs”, meaning 'earthlike', is a geological secondary formation within sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Geodes are often hollow, vaguely spherical rocks, in which masses of mineral matter (which may often include crystals) are secluded. Quartz geodes form when hollow cavities in existing rocks are filled with mineral-rich groundwater, causing crystals to precipitate and grow on the inner surfaces over thousands or millions of years. The initial cavities can result from trapped gas bubbles in cooling volcanic rock or from dissolved fossils, animal burrows, or other organic material in sedimentary rock. As the water evaporates, the dissolved minerals (most often silica compounds that form quartz) are left behind to accumulate and harden, forming the characteristic crystal-lined interior of the geode.

QUARTZ

Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica (silicon dioxide), it has a Mohs hardness of 7, and it crystalizes in the trigonal crystal structure. It is so abundant, that it makes up about 12 percent of the Earth’s land surface, and about 20 percent of the Earth's crust. As a matter of fact, it is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, behind feldspar. There are many different varieties of quartz, several of which are classified as gemstones. Since antiquity, quartz crystals have been the most commonly used minerals in the making of jewelry and ornament. It is also one of the most varied of all minerals, occurring in numerous forms, habits, and colors. Interestingly, quartz crystals have what is called “piezoelectric properties”; meaning, it has the ability to create an electric charge when applying mechanical pressure and friction. As an experiment, if you rub two pieces of quartz together in a dark room, the crystals will produce an electrical current and glow an orange color. Even more interesting, if you run a copper coil around or through a quartz crystal, and apply a stable electric current, you will receive upwards of 30% measurable energy increase. The ability to maintain a stable electric current makes them extremely useful in the application of keeping precise measurements, such as its uses of keeping time in watches and clocks.

QUARTZ HISTORY AND USES

The Ancient Greeks referred to quartz as krustallos, meaning "icy cold", because of the theory held by many esteemed philosophers that the mineral is a form of supercooled water, or permanently frozen ice. Theophrastus, the Greek philosopher and successor to Aristotle, and also, later, Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, both believed quartz to be water ice that had been permanently frozen after great lengths of time. Pliny the Elder supported this idea by saying that crystals of quartz are found near glaciers in the Alps, but not on volcanic mountains. This idea persisted for roughly 1,600 years, until 17th century observations from Danish scientist, Nicolas Steno, paved the way forward for modern crystallography. He discovered that regardless of a quartz crystal's size, shape, or color, its long prismatic faces always joined together at a perfect 60° angle. This observation paved the way forward for scientists to begin research in crystal formation principles, observations and impact within polarized light, and the inevitable research that revolved around the principles of electrical mechanics.

By the 1930’s, most electrical devices had become dependent on quartz usage, creating a global race for the mineral’s extraction. However, only the purest forms of quartz crystals were able to be used in electrical mechanics, creating a dependency on the finest material being extracted almost exclusively from Brazil. As a result of interrupted supply chains during the second World War, scientists started working on the development of fully synthesized lab grown quartz crystals. A decade later, during the 1950s, hydrothermal synthesis techniques were producing synthetic quartz crystals on an industrial scale. Today, virtually all the quartz crystal used in modern electronics and industry is synthetic, while natural formations of quartz crystal are sought after for private collecting and jewelry making.

QUARTZ METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, quartz is believed to enhance spiritual enlightenment and provide positive energy flow. It is said that quartz helps to activate and align all Chakras, allowing its user to access higher levels of energy, consciousness, and universal awareness. Because of its inter-dimensional connectivity, it is said to be a facilitator of spiritual knowledge and truth, providing insights that will promote and create emotional and mental well-being. It should be noted, however, that differing variations of quartz have their own distinct metaphysical properties, most often based on their color and mineral composition. Physically, quartz is said to amplify the immune system response, as well as cleanse and detoxify the vital organs of the body.