Also, where is the best place to buy it around East TN?
Whether quartz is rare or expensive, depends on what variety you mean. For example, amethyst (purple), citrine (orange/yellow), and opal are all varieties of quartz, and moderately valuable. Especially if set in jewelry, or if they are of exceptional size and color. Some people collect many different varieties. Gold is associated with milky or bull quartz in gold bearing regions of California. Clear quartz sought after as well. In general though, quartz is made up of SiO4, two of the most abundant elements in the earths crust. As mentioned earlier, quartz is used for jewelry, for decoration. It is also used in watches and time pieces to keep accuracy (with a small electrical charge given to the quartz, it will vibrate at a constant/steady rate).
