Quartz, most common of all minerals is composed of silicon dioxide, or silica, SiO2. It is an essential component of igneous and metamorphic rocks. The size varies from specimens weighing a metric ton to minute particles that sparkle in rock surfaces. The luster in some specimens is vitreous; in others it is greasy or glossy. Some specimens are transparent; others are translucent. In pure form, quartz is colorless, but it is commonly colored by impurities. Rock crystal is a colorless form of quartz occurring in distinct crystals. Rose quartz is coarsely crystalline and colored rose red or pink. Smoky quartz occurs in crystals ranging from smoky yellow to dark brown. Amethyst, a semiprecious variety of quartz, is purple or violet. Quartz crystals exhibit a property called the piezoelectric effect—that is, they produce an electric voltage when pressurized along certain directions of the crystal.
Synonyms
quartzite powder, natural quartz crystal, quartz powder, fused quartz powder, synthetic quartz powder, cristobalite, diatomite, tridymite, aerosil powder, silicic anhydride, infusorial earth, christensenite, sillikolloid, chalcedony, dioxosilane, novaculite, spectrosil, superfloss, accusand, amethystnatural silicon dioxide, Si02, natural silica
Chemical Properties
Purities are available between 99% and 99.9999%
b) Special Notice: Our highest purity quartz powder (“Super Pure Quartz”) has the following typical chemistry (stated in ppm) from a batch manufactured around 1 April 2005:
Na= 0.83, K= 0.74, Li= 0.131, Ca= 0.45, Mg= <0.004, Fe= 0.16, Cu= 0.016, Mn= 0.005, Ni= 0.380, Cr= 0.028, Co= <0.024, Al= 4.07, Ti= <0.05, B= 0.02, and P= 0.02
Typical Applications
Because of its piezoelectric properties, quartz crystal has important applications in the electronics industry. Different forms are also used as gemstones. Because it is a primary ingredient in sand it is also used to make glass & labware, silica brick, cement, and mortar. Ground quartz is used as an abrasive in stonecutting, sandblasting, and glass grinding. Powdered quartz is used in making porcelain, scouring soaps, sandpaper, and wood fillers. Recent uses are with solar panels.