Did you know that quartz was thought of as frozen water (ice) in earlier eras because it was always so cool to the touch? But its coldness is merely due to its high thermo-conductivity. 

Quartz is the most common mineral found in the Earth's crust, but that doesn't reduce our fascination for this clear crystal. There is a lot to learn about this humble crystal.

Keep reading to learn how is quartz formed, what are the different types of quartz, and how you can use quartz healing properties. 

How Is Quartz Formed?

The two most prevalent materials in the Earth's crust are silicon and oxygen. And quartz is made up of these two abundant materials (i.e., it is essentially silicon dioxide). Quartz is the most basic form of silicates found on Earth.

It makes up 12% of the land's surface and 20% of the Earth's crust. That's a lot of quartz clusters for all of us crystal-lovers. It will be a long time before the Earth runs out of clear quartz crystal. 

It gets formed naturally when silica-rich solutions occur in the underground cracks and crevices in the earth's crust. These allow for unlimited expansion of quartz clusters. 

Even though quartz was used as a weapon by our ancestors, it has been used in jewelry for the past 4000 years. 

You might be wondering how the smooth surfaces of clear quartz crystals are formed. They indicate the equilibrium in the crystal pattern and are an indication that the crystal was allowed to grow without any hindrance.

Different Types of Quartz

There are two different groups of quartz formations that you need to be aware of. Let's explore them in detail below.

Crystalline Quartz

Crystalline quartz can be found both as frosting sparkling on a rock and as well-formed crystals weighing tonnes. It represents the diversity of quartz crystal formation. 

As you might already know, the color of quartz crystals comes due to the impurities found in the rocks or sand around the crystal formation. Let's look at the variety of colors we find in quartz.

• Amethyst - purple (due to Ferric iron and gamma radiation)
• Rose crystal - pink (due to titanium oxide)
• Rock crystal - clear
• Milky quartz - white (due to tiny bubbles in the crystal)
• Smoky quartz - Yellow, brown, black (due to radiation in the rocks)

As you can see, crystalline quartz can be quite diverse depending on the circumstances in which it grew.

Cryptocrystalline Quartz

This is also called Chalcedony quartz and doesn't form visible crystals. Let's look in detail at some cryptocrystalline quartz formations.

Banded Agate

They get formed by the deposition of silicon dioxide from a hot water solution. The brighter colored agates (i.e., pink, green, and blue) get formed by dyeing grey and white banded agate. 

Iron and other impurities also give it various colors. 

Flint and Chert

These are cryptocrystalline quartz without banding found in limestone and dolostone as gray, white, or black nodules. They were used as arrowheads in the past, or as tools due to their hardness. 

Jaspers

These are usually yellow, orange, or brown. And they get this distinctive color due to the presence of varying amounts of iron. 

Chrysoprase

You might not have heard of this quartz crystal. It is a green-colored quartz crystal and is colored so due to the presence of nickel. 

Diatoms

You might not have known this, but opal is also from the quartz crystal family. It has additional water in it, which gives it that distinctive rainbow color. It's found near low-temperature water and springs. 

Clear Quartz Healing Properties

Now that you know how the quartz crystal is formed, let's take a look at some of its healing properties. It wasn't revered by humans for thousands of years merely due to its beauty or crystalline hardness. 

It was mostly because quartz is the 'master healer' of crystals. That is, it is the one that amplifies the effect and energy of all other crystals. The big poobah of healing crystals, so to speak.

• Absorbs negative energies of all kinds
• Neutralizes background radiation (great for heavy computer and cellphone users)
• Enhances psychic abilities
• Improves concentration power and memory
• Brings the body and chakras into balance
• Boosts your immune system
• Aligns the subtle bodies
• Acts as a deep soul cleanser (who doesn't need that?)
• Connects the physical dimension with the mind

If you are a newbie crystal connoisseur and don't know which crystal to begin your journey with, clear quartz is always a great one to start with.

Not only does it have so many healing properties, but it's also fairly easy to use. Let's see three ways you can use quartz crystal in your healing journey.

Carry It

Are you shy about displaying your quartz crystal in a clear view of everyone around you? Maybe you are worried about being ridiculed for believing in such esoteric things? 

Then the best way for you to use clear quartz is by carrying it on your person, perhaps in your purse, or backpack, or even in your pocket. 

Place It

Maybe you work from home and want to avail yourself of the benefits of quartz crystal while you work or go about your day. You can place it by your bed, or on your work desk to give yourself a boost all day long!

Wear It

If you aren't shy about displaying your crystals in full view, you can wear them as a bracelet, necklace, or ring. They are such gorgeous crystals, and having them on your body in such a manner is just so life-enhancing. 

Clear Quartz Should Become Your New BFF

Now you know how is quartz formed. And in this world of negativity and toxic energies, a clear quartz crystal should truly be on everyone's Christmas list. It isn't called the 'master healer' just like that. 

There's a reason why it has been serving humanity for the past 4000 years in many shapes and forms. If you would like to acquire some beautiful quartz clusters for yourself, check out Kalifano's collection.