Why quartz

It is also used to make frequency control devices and electronic filters that remove defined electromagnetic frequencies. Skip to content Return to Minerals Database. Crystal System trigonal Color Pure quartz is clear. Luster vitreous, waxy, dull Fracture conchoidal. Related topics: Silicon Element. Return to Minerals Database.

Peter Sandstone of Wisconsin. Quartz sand has a high resistance to being crushed. In the petroleum industry, sand slurries are forced down oil and gas wells under very high pressures in a process known as hydraulic fracturing. This high pressure fractures the reservoir rocks, and the sandy slurry injects into the fractures.

The durable sand grains hold the fractures open after the pressure is released. These open fractures facilitate the flow of natural gas into the well bore. Silicified wood: Silicified "petrified" wood is formed when buried plant debris is infiltrated with mineral-bearing waters which precipitate quartz.

This quartz infills the cavities within the wood and often replaces the woody tissues. This specimen is about four inches ten centimeters across and is from Yuma County, Arizona. The best way to learn about minerals is to study with a collection of small specimens that you can handle, examine, and observe their properties.

Inexpensive mineral collections are available in the Geology. Quartz sand is used as a filler in the manufacture of rubber, paint, and putty. Screened and washed, carefully sized quartz grains are used as filter media and roofing granules. Quartz sands are used for traction in the railroad and mining industries. These sands are also used in recreation on golf courses, volleyball courts, baseball fields, children's sand boxes and beaches.

Quartz crystal: A Herkimer "Diamond" quartz crystal in dolostone. This specimen is about six inches fifteen centimeters across and is from Middleville, New York. One of the most amazing properties of quartz is the ability of its crystals to vibrate at a precise frequencies. These frequencies are so precise that quartz crystals can be used to make extremely accurate time-keeping instruments and equipment that can transmit radio and television signals with precise and stable frequencies.

The tiny devices used for these purposes are known as "crystal oscillators. Today, billions of quartz crystals are used to make oscillators for watches, clocks, radios, televisions, electronic games, computers, cell phones, electronic meters, and GPS equipment. A wide variety of uses have also been developed for optical-grade quartz crystals. They are used to make specialized lenses, windows and filters used in lasers, microscopes, telescopes, electronic sensors, and scientific instruments.

During the s the demand for high-quality quartz crystals accelerated so rapidly that mining operations around the world were unable to supply them in adequate quantities.

Fortunately, this need was realized during World War II, and military and private industry began working on methods to grow synthetic quartz crystals to meet the special requirements of optical and electronics use.

Today, most of the quartz crystals used in electronic components and optical instruments are grown in laboratories instead of produced from mines. Most of the laboratories grow their crystals using methods based upon the geological process of hydrothermal activity. The synthetic crystals are grown at high temperatures from superheated waters that are rich in dissolved silica.

These manufactured crystals can be grown in shapes, sizes and colors that match the needs of manufacturing processes. The cost of growing synthetic quartz crystals is competitive with mining, and the only limit on production is the availability of crystal growth equipment. Ametrine : A bicolor stone combining golden citrine and purple amethyst. This gem measures about 8x10 mm. While it's interesting to think that the quartz you find beautifying a landscaped lawn is also in your wristwatch, most of the quartz in electronics is synthetic, and specific quartzes can be created with specific frequencies for specific functions.

Follow LiveScience on Twitter livescience. Because of its durability, companies typically offer an outstanding warranty on their quartz countertops.

In fact, many quartz counters come with lifetime warranties. These are ten reasons quartz counters can be superior to granite counters. Of course, granite has its own set of benefits, too.

Budget, aesthetics, maintenance, and installation are all factors to consider. Plus, countertop location is also a component to consider. The countertop material you choose for your home is a personal decision and one that you should think about carefully. While it can be overwhelming trying to sift through countertop material choices, start with a couple, like granite and quartz. Then pick which one of the two is superior in your book.

Remember, remodeling should be exciting. Mandy Lee is a contributor to Innovative Construction Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the building materials industry. Mandy is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.