Rock crystal
Rock crystal is colorless, transparent quartz (7 on Mohs), used since antiquity in beads, carvings and jewels; also imitated with glass.
Rock crystal is the colorless, transparent variety of quartz. Its Greek name means “ice”. It has been used since prehistory in beads, carvings and jewels.
Properties #
- Composition: silicon dioxide.
- Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale.
- Color: colorless and transparent, sometimes with rutile inclusions.
- Origins: Brazil, Madagascar, the Alps and the USA.
- Treatments: not usually treated.
Uses in jewelry #
- Beads, pendants and earrings.
- Faceted cuts and spheres.
- Antique jewelry.
Pros and cons #
Advantages #
- Durable and affordable.
- Transparent and luminous.
- Versatile.
Limitations #
- Sparkles less than diamond or zirconia.
- Mistaken for glass.
- Scratches less than other soft stones.
Care and cleaning #
- Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap.
- Tolerates ultrasonic if no fractures.
- Avoid knocks.
See also #
This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
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