Natural Quartz Gemstones

Natural Quartz Gemstones

Quartz is silicon dioxide (SiO2), the second most common mineral in the Earth's continental crust and the most varied family in the gem world. Purple amethyst, yellow citrine, brown smoky quartz, pink rose quartz and their many relatives are all the same mineral, colored by traces of iron, aluminum or titanium, natural irradiation or inclusions of other minerals. With a Mohs hardness of 7 and no cleavage, quartz is a durable, affordable choice for everyday jewelry.

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Gemstone guide

Natural Quartz Gemstones

About quartz

Quartz forms six-sided crystals with pointed tips and occurs in almost every geological setting, from granite and hydrothermal veins to geodes in volcanic rock. Its varieties are named by color and inclusions: amethyst, citrine, ametrine, smoky quartz, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, strawberry quartz and more, while chalcedony, agate and jasper are microcrystalline forms. Brazil is the largest source of gem quartz, and Uruguay, Bolivia, Madagascar and many African countries also produce it.

What you'll find in this collection

This collection brings together all our quartz varieties: citrine and amethyst, a Bolivian ametrine, smoky quartz including matched pairs, strawberry quartz, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, a fluorescent petroleum quartz crystal from Pakistan and coated aura quartz spheres. Stones come mainly from Brazil, with others from Africa, Pakistan, China, Bolivia and India, and range from small faceted stones under a carat to large cabochons of over 100 carats. Nearly all are untreated; the aura quartz spheres carry a metal coating, which is stated on each listing.

How to recognise quartz

Quartz is doubly refractive with a refractive index of about 1.54 to 1.55 and a density of about 2.65, so it feels lighter than topaz or sapphire of the same size. It scratches glass but not topaz. Color zoning is common in amethyst and citrine, and petroleum quartz contains tiny pockets of oil that glow under UV light. Glass imitations often show gas bubbles and swirls and feel warmer to the touch.

Caring for quartz

Quartz is durable and easy to care for: clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Amethyst, citrine, smoky and rose quartz can fade with long exposure to strong sunlight or heat, and coated aura quartz should be cleaned only with a soft cloth.

Every stone is natural, and each listing gives its weight, size, origin and treatment, with photos of the actual stone.