Quartz is a mineral composed mainly of silicon dioxide that is the second most abundant mineral on Earth. It can be found in various colors depending on impurities and is found worldwide in all types of rock. A large quartz vein was discovered in Gwinnett County, Georgia in 2008. Quartz has many uses including as a gemstone, in electronics due to its piezoelectric properties, and as the base material for many computer chips.

2. Quartz: What is it?
 Quartz is a mineral.
 Often quartz is clear to
milky, with other color
variations depending on
what impurities are
present in its formation
(Stoiber, 1945, pp.219-
229).
 It is mainly composed of
silicon dioxide.
 It is the second most
abundant mineral on
earth after feldspar.

3. Where is Quartz found?
 Quartz can be found in all
types of rocks.
Sedimentary, igneous and
metamorphic all contain
traces of quartz.
 Some sources claim that
quartz can be found
everywhere on earth.
 Brazil hosts the largest
amount of types of quartz
found to date (Sorden).

4. Where is Quartz found?
(cont.)
 Since quartz can be found all
over earth, quartz varies in
value depending on it’s
clarity, cut, size, and
condition.
 Quartz is usually mined from
veins within rock (Sorden).
 There was a large quartz
vein running through
Gwinnett County in 2008.
Gwinnett County Quartz Finding

5. Gwinnett County Quartz
Vein
 In 2008, a quartz vein was
discovered in Gwinnett
County, GA.
 The exact location was
never specified (Barrett,
2011).
 Jason Barrett is credited
with its discovery.

6. Physical Properties of
Quartz
 Because of the versatility
that quartz has, it is used
for many different things.
 Quartz is often used in
glass making as well as
for decorative gemstones
in jewelry.
 Common gemstone
names for quartz are
amethyst, citrine, jasper,
rose quartz and smoky
quartz.

7. How does Quartz form?
 While quartz can be found in all forms of rock, it is formed
in igneous rocks originally.
 Molten magma slowly makes its way up to the surface of
the earth. As the magma moves, it is getting cooled
because its farther away from the center of the earth.
 This causes crystals to form because of the presence of
silicates, oxygen, and other elements present in the
magma. As the magma cools gradually, the crystals will
extend out forming larger deposits of quartz within the
now solidified magma.
 The presence of other elements such as titanium or iron
oxide, give the minerals their different hues.

8. How does Quartz Form?
 Quartz forms from silicate which compounds over
time without being disturbed.
 Since quartz is fairly hard, it stands up to erosion
better than other minerals causing it to be more
abundant.

9. What is Quartz used for?
 Quartz has been used for
many different reasons
(King, “Quartz”).
 Some quartz has been
used in silicon based
computer chips. In
Spruce Pine, North
Carolina, the Thomas
family has owned the gem
mine for decades and has
mined almost every kind
of precious gemstone
(“Gem Mining History”). Luther Thomas, Early 1900s

10. More Uses for Quartz
 When put under
pressure, quartz will emit
a positive charge from
one end of the crystal
and a negative charge
from the other. This
makes it useful in many
types of electronic
applications (Nave).
 It is often utilized in
circuit boards for varying
products, as well as
frequency control
devices.

11. Rose Quartz
 The largest deposit of rose quartz is found in Brazil
in Bahia and Minas Gerais.
Bahia
Minas Gerais

12. Smoky Quartz
 Smoky quartz is said to
be formed after being
exposed to differing
amount of radiation and
aluminum.
 This causes the blackish
coloring within the crystal.
 Smoky quartz can be
found in many countries
across the world including
Namibia, Scotland, The
U.S.A., Russia, China,
and many more.

13. References
 Barrett, J. (2011, December 8). My quartz spot(very pic heavy) w/video. Mindat Mineralogy
Messageboard. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from
http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,5,220328,page=2
 Gem Mining History. (n.d.). Spruce Pine NC Gemstone MineGemstones Jewelry Gifts. Retrieved
September 28, 2014, from http://www.sprucepinegemmine.com/gem-mining-history/
 King, H. (n.d.). Quartz. Mineral. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from
http://geology.com/minerals/quartz.shtml
 Nave, R. (n.d.). Quartz. Quartz. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.
gsu.edu/hbase/geophys/quartz.html
 Quartz. (n.d.). Minerals Education Coalition. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from
http://www.mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals/quartz
 Sorden, S. (n.d.). Where is Quartz Found?. Where is Quartz Found?. Retrieved September 28,
2014, from http://www.geocities.ws/quartz_project/location.html
 Stoiber, R., Tolman, C., & Butler, R. (1945). Geology of Quartz Crystal Deposits. American
Mineralogist, 30, 219-229. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from
http://www.minsocam.org/msa/collectors_corner/arc/quartzdep.htm