When you hear quartz, what do you think of?

Quartz, also known as silicon dioxide, is one of the most common minerals found on the Earth’s surface. Quartz covers a wide variety of stones, many of which are used decoratively for their durability and ornamental qualities.

Of course, for those who love jewelry, you’ve probably heard of different types of quartz, such as: amethyst (purple quartz), citrine (yellow), rose quartz (light pink), and smoky quartz (dark gray and translucent).

To determine whether the quartz you’re buying is of high quality, you first need to check if it’s natural or manufactured, and you can do this yourself without the help of an expert.

You can check the temperature and weight of the quartz by hand. If it’s heavier than a similar-sized piece of plastic, it’s probably of relatively high quality.

Also, check the surface temperature of the quartz before handling it. High-quality quartz will feel cold to the touch, like glass; a piece of plastic made to resemble quartz will feel warm or at ambient temperature. This is easy and fun to check!

However, keep in mind that glass made to resemble quartz will also feel cold to the touch, although it will be smoother and less varied.

Examine the color of the quartz. Natural quartz will have streaks and an irregular color distribution. Check the quartz for cracks and fissures. Quartz is more valuable when it’s completely intact; however, a piece of natural quartz with an unusual color is still more valuable and of better quality than a smooth piece of plastic or glass made to imitate quartz. The external surface of the gemstone may look like dull rock, while the inside shows a shiny and colored surface – this means the quartz has been extracted from part of the Earth’s surface, making it a higher-quality specimen.