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.

HEMATITE

Hematite is a common iron oxide compound with the chemical formula, Fe2O3. Hematite is considered one of the finest iron ores in the world, and is also considered one of the most important pigment minerals. Additionally, it is electrically conductive and paramagnetic. Hematite varieties include kidney ore: which is often found as a botryoidal, or bubbly, variety; crystals of martite: which are pseudomorphs after magnetite; Less frequently: well-formed crystals of iron rosettes; as well as micaceous, or specular, hematite, which often displays a shimmering effect of light distribution, sometimes called “druzy”. While these forms vary, they all have a rust-red streak. Hematite is harder than pure iron, but is also much more brittle, with a Mohs hardness of 5 to 6. It naturally occurs in colors of black to silver or gray, brown to reddish-brown, or vibrant red shades. On rare occurrences, it can also display a rainbow of iridescent color, resulting from the addition of impurities within the structure and their subsequent interactions with oxygen.

HEMATITE HISTORY AND USES

The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood, or haima, due to the common red streak and coloration found in most varieties. The color of ground hematite was often used as a pigment in textiles and artistry, with archeological evidences of its use as a red chalk in writing, drawing, and decoration being linked to the earliest forms of expression in human history. To date, the earliest known human use of the red and powdery mineral was roughly 164,000 years ago by the inhabitants of the Pinnacle Point caves in what is now known as South Mossel Bay, South Africa. For its modern-day industrial resource, hematite is an incredibly important ore of iron. It is also commonly employed in the areas of medical equipment, shipping industry and ballast manufacture, and coal production.

Additionally, hematite discoveries on our celestial neighboring planet, Mars, indicate the once abundant presence of water on the now barren, red planet. Terrestrial hematite is a mineral most typically formed within aqueous environments, or by aqueous alteration of the environment. In-situ rock investigations by the Opportunity Rover, which was in operation from 2004 through 2018, showed a significant amount of hematite at surface level, much of it in the form of small conglomerates of gray hematite spherules. Further analysis indicated that these spherules are concretions formed from a water solution, giving even further insight into the planet’s aqueous past. These findings gave way to unprecedented research and theory on Mars likely capability to have once housed ancient forms of early life.

HEMATITE METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, hematite is considered a stone of the Root Chakra. It is said that hematite can aid its user in finding stability and protection when faced with chaotic and stressful situations. A stone of foundation, hematite is said to bring about concrete solutions and decisive thinking habits. When faced with unpleasant high energy situations, hematite can aid its user by creating a grounded space for decompression and peace. Physically, hematite is said to assist the body with healthy blood flow and white blood cell formation. It is also said to aid the body with iron absorption and anemia, as well as helping in the correction of spinal alignment and bone fractures.