Frequently asked questions

• Is clear quartz the same as amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz?

  All of them are quartz — silicon dioxide with the same trigonal structure and Mohs 7 hardness. They're distinguished by color-causing trace elements and treatments: amethyst (iron + natural irradiation, purple), citrine (iron, yellow to orange — most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst), rose quartz (titanium or microscopic inclusions, pink), smoky quartz (irradiated, brown to black). Rutilated quartz is clear quartz with rutile needle inclusions. On a listing, the listed variety tells you the color family; if you're matching colors across a multi-strand project, order from a single dye lot or batch when possible since trace-element saturation varies by deposit.
• What do 'heated' and 'irradiated' mean on a quartz strand?

  Heating and irradiation are the two standard quartz treatments and both are stable for normal jewelry use. Heated amethyst becomes citrine (gold to orange-red); some smoky quartz is heat-lightened. Irradiation deepens or creates color in smoky quartz and some amethyst — the resulting color is permanent under normal conditions but can fade with prolonged direct sunlight exposure, especially in lighter amethyst and rose quartz. Treatment status should be disclosed; ask before buying if it isn't specified. For finished pieces, store color-sensitive quartz out of direct sun and avoid leaving it in a hot car or sunny window display long-term.
• How does quartz hold up in rings, bracelets, and daily-wear pieces?

  At Mohs 7, quartz is among the more durable bead materials and handles bracelets, necklaces, and earrings well. It resists most household scratching since common dust (quartz-based) won't abrade it. Rings see more impact and abrasion than other jewelry, so faceted quartz cabs or beads in rings will eventually show edge wear with daily use — fine for occasional-wear rings. Quartz can chip on sharp impact, so beware of stringing large faceted beads with hard findings that knock against them. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are generally safe for untreated material; for heated or irradiated strands, warm soapy water and a soft brush is the safer default.
• Which quartz cuts and sizes work best for which projects?

  Round and faceted round are the workhorses — 6mm and 8mm dominate stock and string cleanly for classic strands, layering necklaces, and stretch bracelets. 4mm and 3mm microfaceted rounds work as spacers or for delicate chokers and earring drops. 10–12mm rounds and pebble/nugget shapes anchor statement pieces or pair with metal accents. Rondelles and faceted rondelles add light catch without bulk, useful between larger focal beads. Teardrops and ovals suit pendant drops and earring focals. Because quartz is transparent to translucent in most varieties, faceted cuts maximize sparkle while smooth rounds emphasize color body and inclusions.
• What gets sold as quartz that isn't, and how do I spot it?

  Glass is the most common substitute, especially in low-cost faceted rondelles and rounds — glass feels warmer to the touch, often shows mold seams or air bubbles, and lacks the slight birefringence quartz has under magnification. Synthetic (lab-grown) quartz exists and is mineralogically identical to natural quartz; it's used in some commercial bead lines and isn't a quality concern, but disclosure varies by supplier. 'Cherry quartz,' 'pineapple quartz,' and 'blue quartz' in vivid candy colors are usually dyed glass or glass composites, not quartz. If a strand's color looks unusually saturated or uniform for natural quartz, check the listing — material and treatment should be stated.