Quartz Beads

Quartz beads are made from the most common mineral on earth, actually a class of minerals, rather than a single mineral, scientifically known as silicates. Consequently, the variety found in the quartz family is vast. Amethyst, citrine, smokey quartz, and rose quartz are among the most popular quartz varieties for use in jewelry making. However, gemstone beads of agate, chrysoprase, chalcedony, and jasper are also quartz. The differentiation is their crystaline structure. Quartz is a mineral, while quartzite is a rock composed of many interlocking grains of quartz. Aventurine is a quartzite.

The color range of quartz is wide, but clear or milky are the most common natural colors. Consequently, quartz is often dyed to create a colored material. However, since quartz is not very porous, the dye can be washed off leaving the material clear once again.

The term quartz is often misused when it comes to gemstone beads. For example, "cherry quartz" is actually a manmade material (glass) created to imitate a natural quartz with red rutiles called "strawberry quartz." Another common mistake is to call smoky quartz "smoky topaz." Topaz is a natural mineral, but smoky quartz is not the same mineral as topaz.

In jewelry supplies, rutilated, or tourmilated, quartz is often desired for the colored inclusions of other minerals in the quartz. These inclusions, or rutiles, are simply another quartz within the clear quartz. The rutiles can be many different colors, and often will vary in color within the same stone.

Quartz gemstone beads are an attractive element in many jewelry making projects, as they are relatively low cost, durable, and available in several colors.

common treatments: often dyed

hardness: 7 (rutile 6-6.5)

special care: avoid impact, as quartz has a tendency to be brittle (if dyed, avoid liquids or contact with light colored clothing)