The Uses of Crystals and Quartz
Quartz crystals and sand fulfill many purposes due to their strength and durability. Many commercial and manufacturing industries use quartz crystals. The use of quartz depends on its size and quality. Quartz crystals can be extremely fine for jewelry polishing or coarse and abrasive for sand blasting. High-quality transparent quartz makes beautiful lustrous gemstone jewelry. High-purity quartz sandstone produces the highest-quality glass for chandeliers and mirrors.
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First Use Of Quartz
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Quartz was first used as flint to sharpen objects for war and battle. Natural substances such as quartz are measured by physical and chemical properties on the Mohs Scale. The Mohs Scale has several levels. Higher levels mean increased durability. The quartz is ranked at seven on the strength scale, because it is harder and more durable than most other substances. Knives, swords and projectile points can be sharpened on quartz because of the strength of its physical and chemical properties. The quartz arrowhead was formed into a sharp point with equally sharp edges.
Quartz Sand in Manufacturing
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Quartz is commonly found in the Earth's crust as hard crystals and sand. Geological processes create large deposits of high quality silica sand in soil, rivers and beaches. This high-purity sand silica of 100-percent quartz is used in glass production. Pure sand silica that forms into sandstone is used to produce the highest quality glass. Foundry sand produced from quartz can be used for molds and cores in metal manufacturing. The mold and core compositions resist alteration under high temperature and chemical processes. Manufacturers use foundry sand in refractory bricks.
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Quartz Sand in Industry
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Quartz sand is used in mining and petroleum blasting. In the petroleum industry, high-pressure sand streams are flushed into gas and oil wells to create fractures. The sand seeps into the newly created reservoir rock fractures and holds them open. Gas or oil releases in a continuous flow from the fractures. The chemical and physical strength of the sand resists chemical dilution and physical deterioration under high-pressure conditions.
Quartz in Jewlery
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The use of quartz is most commonly recognized in jewelry, particularly as gemstones. Some quartz stones are believed to have healing power, based on their configuration. Jasper beads are small round beads used to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings. A mild abrasive crystalline silica called Tripoli is commercially used to polish jewelry. Higher-quality quartz crystals of single-crystal silica are used to manufacture optical and electronic products. The electronic products extend from watches and clocks to cellphones and computers. The optical-grade crystals used for eyeglass lenses and windows include natural and manufactured quartz.
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References
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