Quartz Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

From amazonite, carnelian, and malachite to tiger’s eye, onyx, and amethyst, crystals are just about everywhere these days — and it’s easy to see why. 

Touted for their potent healing powers, these semi-precious stones are used to enhance things like energy, immunity, and vitality. But what if you’re looking to repel negativity? Is there a stone that can help with that, too?  

Enter: Quartz

Coveted as the most powerful healing stone of all the stones that make up the mineral kingdom, quartz is, without a doubt, magical. Interested in learning more? We can help. Read on to get the scoop on this master healing stone to uncover its origin, usage, and more. 

What Is the Definition of Quartz?

According to the Britannica Dictionary, the noun quartz refers to a widely distributed mineral of wide varieties that consists primarily of silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2). However, sometimes impurities — such as sodium, potassium, titanium, and lithium —may be present. 

The properties of quartz are as follows:

• Chemical Classification — Silicate
• Color — Clear, white, gray, purple, brown, yellow, black, green, pink, red
• Streak — Colorless
• Planet — Moon, sun
• Elements — Metal
• Luster — Vitreous
• Zodiac — All
• Mohs Hardness — 7
• Crystal System — Trigonal
• Uses — Glass making, gemstones, foundry sand, hydraulic fracturing proppant, foundry

What Is the Origin of the Word Quartz?

Most quartz forms in either igneous rocks or environments with geothermal waters — but where did the word “quartz” come from?

According to the New World Encyclopedia, the word “quartz” derives from the German Quarz, which is of Slavic origin (known by Czech miners as křem). Some sources, however, trace our word of the day to the Saxon Querkluftertz, meaning “cross-vein ore.”

What Are the Different Types of Quartz?

Believe it or not, there is a wide variety of quartz that has been accompanying humans for several thousand years. Yup, it’s true — some of the most famous types include:

• Rock crystal (aka “clear quartz”) — colorless and transparent
• Milky quartz — white to greyish-white translucent to opaque variety
• Prasiolite — a green variety of quartz
• Amethyst — translucent variety of chalcedony
• Citrine — yellow to yellowish-brown in color
• Chalcedony — a variety of microcrystalline quartz (white)
• Jasper — cryptocrystalline variety of chalcedony
• Onyx — striped variety of agate quartz with alternating white and black bands
• Ametrine — a mix of amethyst and citrine with bands of purple and yellow or orange
• Smoky quartz — a brownish grey, translucent variety
• Carnelian — reddish to orange-colored quartz
• Aventurine — a type of translucent quartz 
• Rose quartz — pink-colored stone, usually translucent
• Agate — a translucent variety of chalcedony
• Hawk’s eye — a blue-gray to blue-green opaque gemstone variety of quartz

Where Is Quartz Found?

Of all the minerals that are found on the Earth’s surface, quartz is one of the most abundant. It’s present and plentiful in just about all parts of the world, including:

• The United States
• Japan
• China
• Russia
• Belgium
• Brazil
• France
• South Africa
• Bulgaria
• The United Kingdon

What Are Translations of Quartz?

Since quartz can be found all over the globe, you might be wondering how to say our word of the day in a different language. Worry not — we’ve got you covered! Here are some common translations of the word quartz:

• Afrikaans — kwarts
• Arabic — مرو
• Bulgarian — кварц
• Chinese (simplified) — 石英
• Croatian — kvarc
• Czech — křemen
• Danish — kvarts
• Dutch — kwarts
• Finnish — kvartsi
• French — quartz
• German — Quarz
• Greek — χαλαζίας
• Italian — quarzo
• Japanese — 石英
• Korean — 석영
• Norwegian — kvarts
• Polish — kwarc
• Portuguese — quartzo
• Russian — кварц
• Spanish — cuarzo
• Swedish — kvarts
• Thai — ควอตซ์
• Turkish — kuvars
• Ukrainian — кварц
• Vietnamese — thạch anh

What Are the Healing Properties of Quartz?

Quartz is known for having high vibrations that can clear the mind, body, and spirit of clutter. It’s also known to deflect negativity and attract positivity. Some of the other incredible metaphysical healing properties of quartz include:

• Provides balance and support to the crown chakra
• Strengthens the immune system
• Detoxifies the body
• Boosts metabolism
• Enhances mental clarity

To maximize the benefits of your quartz crystals, it is very important that you cleanse them. On an evening when the full moon in is the sky, bathe your gemstones in her light. This will help to recharge them (the golden gaze of the sun also works).

Don’t want to wait for a full moon? You can also purify your stones in water — after all, H2O is the essence of life! Simply leave your crystals fully submerged in water (ideally from a natural source like the ocean) for at least two to three hours but no more than twelve.

Smudging is also a popular method for cleansing quartz crystals and other buildups of negative energy. Some of the best herbs to use include cedar, frankincense, sage, and lavender.   

What Are the Best Ways to Use Quartz?

You can use quartz crystals in several ways, including:

• Wearing them on your body
• Decorating your home with them
• Use them to call in what you’re manifesting
• Holding them while you meditate
• Including them in rituals
• Adding them to your beauty routine
• Placing them on an altar or sacred place
• Use them in your crystal grid
• Cleanse your body or space with it
• Incorporate them into chakra work

A Final Word

The most versatile healing stone on the planet, quartz is believed by many to be a gift from “Mother Earth.” What’s more, quartz is known as the “Spirit Stone” due to its ability to improve one’s connection between the spiritual and physical worlds by containing light across the entire color spectrum. 

Although quartz — such as clear quartz crystal — can be used in a number of ways, many spiritualists rely on the powers of this abundant mineral to boost clarity, perception, and sharpness. Quartz also helps to loosen blocked emotions, strengthens the aura, brings calm, repels negativity, and brings spiritual peace. 

Sources:

Quartz – Minerals Education Coalition | Minerals Education Coalition

quartz | Definition, Types, Uses, & Facts | Britannica

Quartz | New World Encyclopedia