Quartz is an incredibly versatile mineral and it is used in a variety of industries. These industries range from areas that affect our daily lives to high-tech scientific uses. From the countertops in your kitchen or bathroom to the watches we wear on our wrists, quartz applications are as useful as they are varied. Keep reading to learn more about quartz uses, its unique qualities, and why it holds such importance in these industries.
An Introduction to Quartz
Before delving into quartz uses, it is important to understand what quartz is. When quartz is mentioned, there are two different materials someone could be talking about.
The first one is the naturally occurring mineral which is also the one people think about first. It is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth and it can be found in a variety of environments and conditions such as sedimentary rocks. The chemical formula of quartz mineral is made up of silicon and oxygen, known as silicon dioxide. This mineral forms in a wide variety of colors and types, ranging from transparent to vibrant colors.
The other quartz is the half-engineered quartz. This type of quartz is used in home improvement projects such as kitchen countertops or flooring. It is made up of crushed natural quartzite which is mixed with resins and pigments that give it resistance and protection. The resin makes the stone non-porous, meaning it won’t be affected by spills, moisture, or dirt.
Quartz Properties
Quartz has many unique abilities that make it a useful material. These properties of quartz range from its aesthetic appeal to its hardness. Quartz is a naturally hard material and it has a score of 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of hardness.
This remarkable hardness contributes to the durability of quartz and makes this stone one of the most resistant options against scratches or chips.
Quartz is piezoelectric, meaning it can generate small amounts of electricity under stress. This is a feature of quartz countertops often used in electrical devices, making it an indispensable staple of everyday life.
Quartz is a popular choice for spiritual purposes as well. Depending on the type of quartz, it is believed that it can amplify energy, bring calmness, give courage, luck, or any other desirable quality.
Quartz can be found in several forms, including the cryptocrystalline variety. This specific form includes crystallization so small that it can only be seen under a microscope.
Quartz Uses in Everyday Life
Quartz uses in everyday life is much more common than you might think at first. For example, thanks to the unique timekeeping abilities of quartz, it is used in clocks and watches.
When an electric current passes through it, the quartz crystal vibrates at a certain frequency. The consistency of this vibration makes this a reliable occurrence and the vibration can be converted into electric pulses. The pulse plays a role in driving the motor of the clock and thus ensures accurate keeping of time.
Quartz Uses in Science and Technology
Quartz plays an incredibly important role in modern technology and science. It is even used in space satellites due to their reliability.
In the world of modern technology, quartz is commonly used in silicon chips. These silicon chips are a crucial part of almost all electrical devices such as the computers and smartphones we use every day. Quartz offers high performance and reliability, making it an ideal option for devices that are as often as computers and phones.
In science, quartz crystals are used to take precise measurements. The piezoelectric properties of quartz minerals allow them to generate electricity under stress. This ability is what makes them a vital ingredient of sensors and frequency control devices. Without quartz, devices that rely on clear transmission of information such as GPS and communication devices would be harder to operate reliably.
Moreover, as quartz is a highly durable material against high pressures and heat, it is an ideal option to use in scientific settings in which test subjects need to ensure harsh conditions. Quartz can be used to test out different circumstances without suffering structural changes.
Quartz Uses in Construction
The quartz applications in the construction industry vary depending on the type of construction. The common uses include both structural and decorative applications like cement aggregate and flooring.
Quartz is used as aggregate and it is mixed in with cement to give extra strength and durability to the structure. This is a practice that can be found in environments with harsh weather conditions as the buildings in these areas might need some supplemental strength.
Another common way quartz is used in construction is as countertops, flooring, and accent walls. The quartz used in these projects is a half-engineered stone that is made by mixing a crushed natural stone like quartzite with resins and pigments. This step is to ensure the longevity and durability of the countertops as the added resins will make the countertops highly resistant to stains and discoloration.
Quartz Uses in the Jewelry Industry
Quartz crystals have been used in jewelry making for centuries. It is one of the most popular and in-demand minerals for jewelry purposes due to the wide variety of colors and styles it is available in. It is often thought that amethyst is a different type of stone, but actually, it is a type of quartz too. Amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, milky quartz, and smoky quartz are some of the most popular options as they offer color palettes that cater to a wide audience.
The popularity of these stones isn’t only due to their beauty and vibrant colors, but also their hardness. Stones used in jewelry, especially ones that are made with the intention of daily wear, need a certain level of hardness to ensure the durability of the piece. Quartz offers the right amount of hardness for the jewelry to be durable and long-lasting.
Quartz is hard enough to be durable and long-lasting, but it isn’t so hard that it is hard to cut or carve. Therefore, it can be cut and shaped into ornate and detailed pieces with unique shapes and designs.
Quartz Uses in Glassmaking
One of the most wide-reaching and significant uses of quartz is in the glass-making industry. Quartz sand, which is also known as silica sand, is the primary ingredient used in the process of glass-making.
High purity quartz ensures that the glass produced ends up being very clear and pleasing to the eye. More importantly, the resulting glass is resistant to chemical corrosion. This type of glass, which is also known as silica glass, is used in different areas such as windows, laboratory equipment, and optical fibers.
The purity level of the quartz used in glass-making is especially important for more specialized applications. For example, in the case of the semiconductor industry, even the smallest impurity can affect the results negatively. Therefore, the variety of quartz used is holds great importance.
In conclusion, quartz is an extremely useful and functional mineral used for a variety of purposes. Its unique properties make it an integral part of not only many industries but also our lives.
FAQs
What type of rock is quartz?
Quartz is not a type of rock, it is rather a type of mineral. However, it can be present in different variations of rocks such as metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Quartz is particularly common in granite and sandstone.
What is quartz used for in engineering?
Quartz is used for a variety of purposes in engineering. One of the most common is the production of silicon microchips for common electrical devices like computers and smartphones.
