Quartz is a common variety of crystal, consisting of a compound of silicon and oxygen. It is used in phonograph pickups, jewelry, abrasives, and as component in clocks.
Quartz is used in the making of sandpaper, optics, glass, liquid filters, circuit boards, computer components, cement, mortar, and jewelry. Quartz crystals are also piezoelectric meaning when an electrical current passes through them they vibrate a small amount. Time can be measured from the vibrations of the quartz crystals so quartz crystals are often used in clocks.
Quartz has nothing to do with botany. Quartz is glass, silicon dioxide, in a crystal form. This sheets of it are used to generate precise frequencies for radios because it will physically vibrate when an electric signal is applied to it, and the vibration generates a signal output. The same effect is used in phonographs and scanning microscopes. Quartz crystals are popular in chandeliers. They are ground into balls for the people who like crystal balls, and some people like to carry just plain crystals for whatever benefit that gives them. Quartz might be mixed with salts and other minerals to make several types of glass. In natural form, quartz crystal is called agate or onyx. Both names refer to the same substance. It can be dyed many colors and is used for jewelry. The purest natural agate is used for bearings for precision balance scales. The non-crystal form of quartz is called jasper. It might be beautiful colors, but it is not a rare type of stone.
