Quartz lends itself to various uses.
Quartz is a mineral consisting of crystalline silicon dioxide. Blue quartz and blue star quartz are varieties of quartz that appear blue to the eye. Blue star quartz -- more commonly referred to as star blue quartz -- is a type of blue quartz and is asterated: it reflects light by producing a star shape on the surface of the gem. Star blue quartz is the official state gemstone of Alabama.
Quartz
Quartz is found in almost every geographic environment on earth and is a component of most rocks. It comes in several varieties and forms. The macrocrystalline forms of quartz, which are literally big crystals, are aesthetically pleasing and are widely used as gemstones for jewelry and in crystal healing. Quartz comes in many different colors; inclusions of other minerals in the quartz crystal structure cause the colors. Cryptocrystalline forms of quartz, which are too small to see without magnification, are sometimes used as semiprecious gemstones.
Blue Quartz
Blue quartz denotes any form of macrocrystalline quartz that appears blue upon visual inspection or that scatters blue light. The blue color is the result of mineral inclusions, such as tourmaline, dumortierite, crocidolite or magnesioriebeckite. Blue quartz can be clear and translucent or cloudy and opaque, depending on the crystal structure and on the nature of the inclusions. You almost never see naturally occurring transparent blue quartz, because inclusions color the quartz. Blue quartz can vary in color from gray to deep blue. Other forms of quartz, such as amethyst, can be treated to turn blue.
Star Blue Quartz
Star blue quartz is a gemstone-quality form of silicon dioxide. It was designated the state gemstone of Alabama in 1990 due to its beauty and common occurrence in the state. It displays a star-shaped body when exposed to light -- a result of the special orientation of the inclusions within the crystal structure. This phenomenon is relatively rare in quartz, and is a reason why star blue quartz is considered one of the most beautiful gemstones.
Properties
Blue quartz and star blue quartz are widely thought to possess special healing powers; some people use them for their metaphysical properties. Blue quartz is associated with healing and order. It is thought to increase emotional stability and to bring balance into the wearer's life.
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