Dec 06, 2025

Quartz - Comes in all colors!

Timeless Quartz: From Ancient Talisman to Modern Adornment

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, but its story is far from common. For millennia, this versatile crystal—in all its varied forms—has captivated humanity, serving as much more than just a beautiful component in jewelry. From ancient talismans of power to the precisely engineered components of modern technology, the history of quartz is a reflection of human curiosity and craft.

Quartz in the Ancient World

The use of quartz is practically as old as civilization itself. Examples of rock crystal objects date back as far as 75,000 BC, making them some of the earliest known talismans. Early civilizations believed quartz crystals held magical powers, a sentiment that transcended cultures from the Fertile Crescent to the Mediterranean.

Mesopotamia: Rose quartz beads, a testament to its early use in jewelry, have been discovered dating back to 7000 BC. The Assyrians, around 800–600 BC, were known to craft jewelry from this soft blush-colored gem.
Egypt: The ancient Egyptians revered quartz, particularly believing it could prevent aging and using it in amulets and scarabs. Pharaohs sometimes wore cylinders filled with quartz to balance the spiritual aspects of the soul.
Greece and Rome: The Ancient Greeks referred to quartz as krustallos, meaning "icy cold" or "ice," believing it to be permanently frozen ice. The Romans valued rose quartz as a seal to signify ownership, and their physicians used clear quartz balls to cauterize wounds or simply to cool their hands on warm days.
The Celts: In ancient Ireland, clear quartz was known as Grianchloch (sunstone) and was used extensively in prehistoric monuments like the famous Newgrange passage tomb.

Throughout the Middle Ages, this belief in the healing and protective properties of quartz continued, with practitioners using it in medicinal potions and amulets.

The Many Faces of Quartz in Jewelry

One of quartz's greatest appeals is its incredible variety. Its crystalline forms, each with unique colors and patterns, have made it a favorite for adornment throughout history:

Amethyst: Ranging from light violet to deep purple, this variety was thought by the Greeks to ward off intoxication. It was frequently used in the regalia of royalty and the clergy during the Middle Ages.
Rose Quartz: Beloved since antiquity for its rosy hue, it is often called the "love stone," believed to balance emotions and attract love.
Citrine: The yellow to orange variety, citrine is associated with prosperity and success.
Rock Crystal (Clear Quartz): The colorless, transparent form that truly embodies the term "crystal." It was, and still is, used for scrying (divination) and as a potent "master healer" that is said to amplify energy.
Agate and Chalcedony: These are microcrystalline and cryptocrystalline forms of quartz, often prized for their banding patterns and durability in hardstone carvings.

Quartz continues to be popular in modern jewelry, cherished both for its aesthetic beauty and the deeper metaphysical meaning that many believe it carries. Its durability, rating a 7 on the Mohs scale, ensures that this ancient gem will continue to shine for ages to come.

Spyglass Designs offers a wide selection of polished quartz in all its varied colors in many earring and necklace designs.