Quartz
Quartz is a silicate mineral prized by collectors for its exceptional color range, with several world-class Chinese localities.
About Quartz
Quartz is a silicate mineral in the silica group and has the chemical formula SiO₂. It crystallizes in the trigonal system and is one of the most visually varied minerals in the collector market. Its combination of structural character and global distribution make it a recognized species in both systematic and aesthetic collections.
Identification & care
Specimens usually show prismatic, pyramidal, massive, drusy, geodes. Its color range is broad, including colorless, purple (amethyst), rose/pink, red, black (morion), yellow (citrine), brown (smoky), green, blue, and orange. The luster is vitreous, the streak is white, and specimens range from transparent to opaque. The cleavage is none / indistinct. The fracture is conchoidal, which aids identification.
Collector context
How it forms
The geological setting for Quartz is typically igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; hydrothermal veins. It is commonly found in association with feldspar, mica, tourmaline, calcite.
Classic Chinese localities
Documented Chinese occurrences are recorded at Shangbao Mine, Jiama Cu-polymetallic deposit and Jinduicheng Mine, among others.
Why collectors care
Quartz is a frequently-sought species in serious collections because its habit is recognizable, its color often strong, and its best examples unmistakable even at a distance. Chinese material has driven much of the recent visual shift in the species — sharper crystals, deeper colors, cleaner matrix.
What affects value
Value in Quartz is assessed, in typical order of weight, against: (1) locality provenance; (2) size relative to the species norm; (3) crystal form and termination sharpness; (4) color saturation and zoning; (5) transparency and internal clarity; (6) matrix quality and aesthetic balance; (7) condition (absence of damage, chips, or repair). Cleaning quality and verified locality documentation act as multipliers across the above.
Naming history
The name Quartz has a specific etymological and historical context — see Mindat's reference entry for provenance details. We have retained naming data at the record level; published prose is paraphrased from factual fields rather than copied from source.
Available Quartz specimens
Quartz with Cassiterite and Purple Fluorite, Yaogangxian
Brazilian Agate Penguin Pair, Hand-Carved Sculptures
Grape Agate Pterosaur Hand-Carved Sculpture, Indonesia
Quartz Seahorse Hand-Carved Sculpture
Grape Agate Cluster, Deep Purple, Indonesia
Smoky Quartz Tower Cluster, Yaogangxian, Hunan, China
Quartz Crystal Geode, Split Formation, Brazil
Arsenopyrite with Quartz Crystal Cluster, Inner Mongolia
Red Quartz Crystal on Black Matrix, Jiangxi
Carved White Quartz Elephant Sculpture
Chalcopyrite Spherical Mass on Quartz, Jiangxi
Carved Quartz Elephant Figurine with Onyx Eyes
Elestial Quartz Crystal, Sichuan
Chlorite Phantom Quartz, Turkey
Quartz Crystal with Silver Mica Rosettes
Psilomelane with Quartz Crystals, Namibia
Boulangerite with Quartz and Pyrite, Inner Mongolia
Smoky Quartz with Garnet and Dolomite
Chalcopyrite on Quartz Matrix Specimen
Quartz Crystal Cluster with Pyrite, Yaogangxian
Clear Quartz Crystal Specimen, Namibia
Quartz Crystal Cluster on Matrix, Namibia
Arsenopyrite with Quartz and Calcite
Garden Quartz with Epidote Inclusions, Turkey
Large Quartz Geode on Gold Display Base
Carved Agate Crystal Skull with Quartz Cavity, Brazil
Quartz Geode on Gold Display Base
Screw Quartz Crystal Cluster – Inner Mongolia, China
Garden Quartz Crystal – Chlorite Inclusions, Sichuan
Botryoidal Grape Agate – Deep Purple – Sulawesi, Indonesia
Quartz Crystal Cluster with Pyrite – Yaogangxian, Hunan
Garden Quartz Cluster – Epidote Inclusions – Sichuan, China
Clear Quartz and Green Fluorite Cluster – Fujian, China
Grape Agate Chalcedony Cluster – Botryoidal – Sulawesi, Indonesia
Quartz Cluster with Calcite and Chalcopyrite – China
Quartz Crystal Cluster with Fluorite Core – Fujian, China
Hand-Carved Quartz Geode Skull – Extra Large – Natural Druzy
Hand-Carved Quartz Geode Skull – Large – Natural Druzy
Hand-Carved Quartz Crystal Skull – Druzy Interior – Natural Stone
Hand-Carved Quartz Geode Skull with Malachite – Natural Stone
Quartz Cluster with Cassiterite and Pyrite – Yaogangxian
Green Quartz Crystal – Prismatic – Jalgaon District, Maharashtra
Colorless Quartz Crystal – Prismatic – Erongo Mountains, Namibia
Quartz Cluster – Columnar with Druzy Cap – Yunnan Province, China
Green Quartz – Pseudocubic Habit – Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan
White Botryoidal Quartz – Glassy Luster – Fujian Province, China
Green Screw Quartz – Twisted Prismatic Form – Inner Mongolia, China
Herkimer-Style Quartz Crystal – Prismatic – Daocheng, Sichuan
Herkimer-Style Quartz Crystal – Prismatic – Daocheng, Sichuan
Smoky Quartz Crystal Cluster – Erongo Mountains, Namibia
Herkimer-Style Quartz Crystal – Prismatic – Daocheng, Sichuan
Smoky Quartz Crystal Cluster – Erongo Mountains, Namibia
Herkimer-Style Quartz Crystal – Prismatic – Daocheng, Sichuan
Light Blue Botryoidal Quartz – Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Himalayan Quartz Crystal, Parvati Valley, Pakistan
Quartz Crystals, Maoniuping, Sichuan
Prismatic Quartz Crystal, Maoniuping, Sichuan, China
Quartz Crystal, Lanwen Mine, Yunnan, China
Quartz Scepter Crystal – Prismatic Form – Haramosh Mountains, Pakistan
