quartz

[ kwawrts ]

noun

1. one of the commonest minerals, silicon dioxide, SiO 2 , having many varieties that differ in color, luster, etc., and occurring either in masses (as agate, bloodstone, chalcedony, jasper, etc.) or in crystals (as rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, etc.): the chief constituent of sand and sandstone, and an important constituent of many other rocks. It is piezoelectric and used to control the frequencies of radio transmitters.

quartz

/ kwɔːts /

noun

1. a colourless mineral often tinted by impurities, found in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It is used in the manufacture of glass, abrasives, and cement, and also as a gemstone; the violet-purple variety is amethyst, the brown variety is cairngorm, the yellow variety is citrine, and the pink variety is rose quartz. Composition: silicon dioxide. Formula: SiO 2 . Crystal structure: hexagonal
2. short for quartz glass

quartz

/ kwôrts /

1. A hard, transparent trigonal mineral that, after feldspar, is the most common mineral on the surface of the Earth. It occurs as a component of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks as well as in a variety of other forms such as rock crystal, flint, and agate. Some crystalline forms, such as amethyst, are considered gemstones. Chemical formula: SiO 2 .

Other Words From

• quartz·ose [kwawrt, -sohs], quartz·ous [kwawrt, -s, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartz¹

First recorded in 1750–60, quartz is from the German word Quarz

Word History and Origins

Origin of quartz¹

C18: from German Quarz, of Slavic origin

Example Sentences

Other attractions includes the Santa Monica Pier’s Ferris wheel, which will be lit up in Seventeen’s official colors — rose, quartz and serenity.

From Los Angeles Times

The extreme weather has also forced the closure of mines in Spruce Pine, a small town that is home to the world’s largest-known source of high-purity quartz.

From BBC

The extreme weather has also forced the closure of quartz mines in Spruce Pine, a tiny town about an hour north-east of Asheville, home to the world’s largest-known source of high-purity quartz.

From BBC

She held up a sample of its quartz surfacing material to the jury, telling them it was safe.

From Los Angeles Times

If you’re used to Griffith Park, which is just scrub and piles of loose sand and quartz, this feels much more tropical and remote.

From Los Angeles Times