Quartz Gemstone: Colors, Meaning, Value & Care

Raw clear crystal quartz gemstone
Gemstone Guide • Quartz

Quartz Gemstone: Colors, Meaning, Value & Care

Quartz is an affordable and versatile gemstone available in a remarkable variety of colors. Jewelers around the world design with quartz because of its beauty, accessibility, durability, and many different varieties.

Learn more about quartz gemstone meaning, colors, value, durability, origins, famous specimens, and how to properly care for quartz jewelry.

Quartz Gemstone at a Glance

💎 Mineral
Quartz
🎨 Colors
Colorless to multicolored
🔨 Mohs Hardness
7–7.5
💜 Purple Variety
Amethyst
🌎 Availability
Common worldwide
🧼 Cleaning
Warm water & mild soap

Facts About Quartz Gemstones

What is the meaning of a quartz gemstone?

In crystal folklore, quartz is associated with dispelling negativity and enhancing spiritual receptivity. It has also been associated with amplifying the perceived properties of other crystals.

What colors do quartz gemstones come in?

Quartz occurs in a wide variety of colors, including colorless, white, gray, orange, red, yellow, purple, violet, brown, blue, green, pink, and black.

Raw purple amethyst quartz gemstone

Amethyst: Purple Quartz

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz and is one of the best-known gemstones in the quartz family.

Higher-quality amethyst is prized for rich purple coloring, with some stones displaying flashes of red and blue.

Learn more in 10 Interesting Facts About the Amethyst Gemstone .

Quartz Value, Origins & Durability

Where is quartz found?

Quartz is found throughout the world. Notable sources include the United States, Brazil, China, Japan, Russia, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Arkansas is particularly well known for clear quartz deposits in the United States.

What is the largest quartz gemstone found?

A remarkably large quartz crystal discovered in 1985 at the Otjua mine near Karibib, Namibia, weighed approximately 14,100 kilograms and measured around 119 inches in height and width.

How much does quartz cost?

Quartz is generally an affordable gemstone because of its abundance. Pricing varies considerably depending on the quartz variety, color, clarity, cut, size, quality, and origin. Amethyst and other desirable varieties can command higher prices.

How durable is quartz?

Quartz measures approximately 7–7.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. The scale measures the scratch resistance of minerals from 1 to 10.

How rare is quartz?

Quartz is one of the most common minerals found throughout the world. Its abundance helps make many quartz varieties accessible and affordable for jewelry designs.

How should quartz jewelry be cleaned?

Quartz jewelry can be cleaned with warm water and mild soap. For additional information about caring for jewelry, visit the MONOLISA Jewelry Care Tips.

Quartz in Handmade Jewelry

Amethyst is one of the many colorful varieties of quartz used in jewelry. Its rich purple color pairs beautifully with bright silver metals and can range from soft lavender tones to deeper shades of purple.

3.5 carat amethyst Argentium Silver ring handmade by California jewelry artist Lisa Ramos
3.5 Carat Amethyst Argentium® Silver Ring
Handmade by California Jewelry Artist Lisa Ramos
California artist Lisa Ramos founder of MONOLISA

California Artist

Lisa Ramos is a California-based artist creating handcrafted jewelry and leather bags. Her work has been featured at over 200 art shows and festivals.

Explore More Gemstone Guides

Professional Memberships: Art Association Napa Valley, MJSA, SNAG, Bay Area made, Argentium Silver Guild, International Gem Society.


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