Crystal vs. Quartz

Main Difference

The main difference between Crystal and Quartz is that the Crystal is a solid material whose constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in an ordered pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions and Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms in a continuous framework of SiO₄ silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall chemical formula of SiO₂.

• Crystal

  A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituents (such as atoms, molecules, or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions. In addition, macroscopic single crystals are usually identifiable by their geometrical shape, consisting of flat faces with specific, characteristic orientations. The scientific study of crystals and crystal formation is known as crystallography. The process of crystal formation via mechanisms of crystal growth is called crystallization or solidification.

  The word crystal derives from the Ancient Greek word κρύσταλλος (krustallos), meaning both “ice” and “rock crystal”, from κρύος (kruos), “icy cold, frost”.Examples of large crystals include snowflakes, diamonds, and table salt. Most inorganic solids are not crystals but polycrystals, i.e. many microscopic crystals fused together into a single solid. Examples of polycrystals include most metals, rocks, ceramics, and ice. A third category of solids is amorphous solids, where the atoms have no periodic structure whatsoever. Examples of amorphous solids include glass, wax, and many plastics.

  Despite the name, lead crystal, crystal glass, and related products are not crystals, but rather types of glass, i.e. amorphous solids.

  Crystals are often used in pseudoscientific practices such as crystal therapy, and, along with gemstones, are sometimes associated with spellwork in Wiccan beliefs and related religious movements.

• Quartz

  Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall chemical formula of SiO2. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth’s continental crust, behind feldspar.Quartz exists in two forms, the normal α-quartz and the high-temperature β-quartz, both of which are chiral. The transformation from α-quartz to β-quartz takes place abruptly at 573 °C (846 K). Since the transformation is accompanied by a significant change in volume, it can easily induce fracturing of ceramics or rocks passing through this temperature threshold.

  There are many different varieties of quartz, several of which are semi-precious gemstones. Since antiquity, varieties of quartz have been the most commonly used minerals in the making of jewelry and hardstone carvings, especially in Eurasia.

• Crystal (noun)

  a piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged plane faces

  “ice crystals formed where his breath froze”

  “a quartz crystal”

• Crystal (noun)

  any solid consisting of a symmetrical, ordered, three-dimensional aggregation of atoms or molecules.

• Crystal (noun)

  a crystalline piece of semiconductor used as an oscillator or transducer.

• Crystal (noun)

  a clear transparent mineral, especially quartz

  “cups cut from crystal”

• Crystal (noun)

  a piece of crystalline substance believed to have healing powers.

• Crystal (noun)

  highly transparent glass with a high refractive index

  “a crystal chandelier”

• Crystal (noun)

  articles made of crystal glass

  “a collection of crystal”

• Crystal (noun)

  the glass over a watch face.

• Crystal (noun)

  short for crystal meth (methamphetamine)

• Crystal (adjective)

  clear and transparent like crystal

  “the clean crystal waters of the lake”