Quartz is one of the most fascinating and beautiful minerals out there. So when you ask “What color is quartz,” you’re opening a door to a world of stunning variety and sparkle.

Imagine holding a piece of quartz in your hand. As you turn it, watch how it catches the light and sparkles like tiny stars caught inside. The way it shines and shimmers is enough to catch anyone’s eye.

Because of this, quartz has been admired for centuries. Aside from its beauty, It’s been used in everything from jewelry to clocks.

In this article, we’ll get to know the different quartz colors and how each one is special. No matter what color quartz is, it has this amazing ability to charm and captivate. And you’ll see them for yourself here!

The Most Common Quartz Color

When you think of quartz, the most common color that likely comes to mind is clear, or colorless. It looks like a piece of frozen water that never melts. It’s so clear that you can see right through it, like looking through a crystal-clear window.

Colorless quartz forms deep underground. Over time, silica-rich waters slowly deposit layers upon layers, forming these beautiful crystals.

What’s fascinating about clear quartz is that, despite being colorless, it can sometimes have little rainbows inside it when the light hits just right.

Sure, its beauty influences its price, but the value of quartz goes beyond just how pretty it is. Clear quartz is actually used in many different ways.

It’s popular in jewelry because of its beauty and durability. People love wearing quartz necklaces, bracelets, and rings because they add a touch of sparkle to any outfit.

It’s also really useful in electronics. Because of its unique properties, it helps to keep clocks and watches running accurately. It’s even used in computer chips and other electronic devices.

Another cool thing about quartz is how it’s been appreciated for a long time. People have used it for making tools and as decoration for thousands of years. Today, we still find new ways to use and admire this beautiful crystal.

The Different Colors of Quartz

Quartz comes in a variety of stunning colors aside from the well-known clear or colorless type.

By knowing about the different colors quartz comes in, you are also learning more about how to tell the difference between real and fake quartz.

Purple Quartz

Purple quartz, also known as amethyst, ranges from a light, dreamy lavender to a deep, royal purple.

It gets its incredible color when tiny bits of iron and other minerals get trapped inside it as it forms. Then, these minerals react with natural radiation, and voila! You get that gorgeous purple hue.

In ancient times, people thought purple quartz could prevent drunkenness. The word “amethyst” comes from a Greek word meaning “not drunken.” People used to make drinking cups out of it, hoping it would keep them clear-headed.

Because of its beautiful color, it also has a special place in history. It’s been a favorite of kings and queens for centuries. It’s even found in some of the British Crown Jewels!

The value of amethyst is further influenced by it being February’s birthstone. It might be one of the most valuable purple gemstones you’ll find.

Where you can find purple quartz

Purple quartz is a bit of a globe trotter as it’s found in many places around the world. Brazil is famous for its beautiful amethysts, as well as Uruguay and Zambia.

In the United States, Arizona and North Carolina are great spots for finding amethyst. The state of Georgia also has some amethyst locations. If you need more information on the best rockhounding locations, check out our article.

Pink Quartz

Also known as rose quartz, pink quartz has the color of a soft, gentle sunrise or a blooming rose. It can range from a pale, almost peachy pink to a richer, more rosy shade.

It gets its lovely pink color from the tiny amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese that mix in while it’s forming.

Rose quartz is also known for its cloudy, almost dreamy appearance. Unlike some other quartz colors that are super clear, it has this gentle, opaque look. It’s one of the most fascinating pink crystals out there.

Because of its color, it’s often associated with love and healing. Many people believe it brings good vibes and can help with relationships.

Aside from this, it’s often used in jewelry and decorations. It’s also popular for carving into shapes like hearts, which makes it a great gift for someone special.

Where you can find pink quartz

High-quality pink quartz is reportedly found in Brazil and Madagascar. In the USA, South Dakota is also famous for its beautiful rose quartz.

If you need a guide to find crystals near you, we’ve created a handy article about it.

Yellow Quartz

Yellow quartz, like citrine, has a color that ranges from a pale, lemony yellow to a deep, golden amber. It’s as if you’ve captured a drop of sunlight inside a stone.

It sparkles and shines, especially when the light hits it just right, making it look like a tiny, glowing fire. It’s one of the most interesting yellow gems out there.

This sunny color is all thanks to the heat. It forms naturally when amethyst or smoky quartz is heated deep underground. This natural heating process changes the color to yellow.

The value of citrine is affected by the interesting stories behind it. It’s known as the “merchant’s stone.” People in the past, and even some today, believe that it can bring wealth and success. It’s like a lucky charm for business.

Another cool thing about it is that it’s one of November’s birthstones. And because of its warm color, it’s also popular in jewelry.

Where you can find yellow quartz

There are spots in Colorado and North Carolina where you can find yellow quartz. For more detailed information on where to find quartz, visit our article on that.

Other places known for having yellow quartz are Brazil and Spain. Each of these places has its own type of yellow quartz, which makes looking for it a bit like a treasure hunt around the world!

Orange Quartz

Orange quartz or tangerine quartz ranges from a light, peachy orange to a deep, fiery rust color.

It’s as if you’re looking at the warm glow of a campfire, captured in a stone. The way it shimmers and catches the light makes it look like it’s almost alive with color, like other equally stunning orange crystals.

Its vibrant hue is due to the presence of iron oxide.

Orange quartz is it’s often associated with creativity and energy. People believe that it can help inspire new ideas and bring a sense of joy.

Orange quartz is also a favorite for making jewelry. Its unique color makes it stand out, and it’s often used in necklaces, bracelets, and rings. It adds a pop of color to any outfit and is especially lovely to wear in the fall, matching the season’s colors.

Where you can find orange quartz

You can find orange quartz in some neat places. One of the best spots for finding it is in Brazil. They have some really vibrant and beautiful tangerine quartz there.

You can also visit and explore Arkansas and California if you want to find orange quartz in the USA. These locations have just the right conditions for it to get that cool orange color.

To help you out, we’ve created a complete guide to gem mining near you.

Brown Quartz

Brown quartz can be a light, smoky gray or a deep, rich brown, almost like dark chocolate. When you hold it up to the light, it’s like looking through tinted glasses, seeing the world in warm, earthy tones.

A well-known brown quartz is smoky quartz that has this cool, mysterious look, with its dark colors. Like other brown crystals, it seems to glow from within.

When quartz is deep underground, it sometimes gets exposed to natural radiation from the surrounding rocks. This radiation changes the quartz, giving it that smoky brown color.

For a long time, people have believed it can protect and heal. They thought it could help calm the mind and bring a sense of peace.

It’s also popular in jewelry. It stands out and looks great in rings, necklaces, and bracelets because of its color.

Where you can find brown quartz

If you want to find brown quartz, you can search for it through the areas of Colorado, New Hampshire, and California. Outside the U.S., Brazil and Scotland are big spots for finding brown quartz.

Red Quartz

Red quartz is like holding a piece of fire in your hands. This quartz can range from a soft, pinkish-red to a deep, rusty red. It’s like looking at the heart of a flame, with its warm and intense shades.

Iron oxide is the secret ingredient here. When tiny amounts of iron oxide mix with quartz, it gets that stunning red color.

One of the interesting things about red quartz is its rarity. It’s not as common as some other quartz colors, which makes it pretty special.

Red quartz is also loved for its unique look. Its bold color makes it stand out, adding a pop of color and excitement to any jewelry and outfit.

Another fun fact about red quartz is the way it can vary in appearance. Some pieces have a clear, almost glassy look, while others are more cloudy and opaque.

Where you can find red quartz

You can uncover striking red quartz pieces in Pennsylvania and Arkansas. Morocco and Kazakhstan are also among the other places where this quartz color hides.

If you’re interested to know other red crystals, you can read our article on that.

Green Quartz

Green quartz looks like a piece of the forest captured in a crystal. Its color ranges from a light, almost transparent green to a deeper, more lush shade.

How does it get its lovely green color? It’s often made when purple amethyst or yellowish quartz is heated, either deep in the ground or by people. This heating process changes its color to green.

Green quartz is pretty rare in its natural form. Most of the ones you see have been treated to get that green color.

Because of this, green quartz is popular in jewelry. It adds a touch of elegance and a splash of color that can turn jewelry pieces from simple to fancy.

Another fun fact about green quartz is that it’s sometimes called “green amethyst.” This name reminds us that it often starts as purple quartz before turning green.

Where you can find green quartz

Interested in green gemstones? Although green quartz is rare there’s a spot in Arizona where it can be found. Another place in the USA where green quartz is sometimes found is in North Carolina.

Brazil is also known for having really impressive green quartz.

Blue Quartz

With its cool and calming colors, blue quartz’s color can range from a pale, cloudy blue to a deeper, more vibrant azure. It’s like looking at different shades of the ocean, from a gentle morning sea to a rich, deep blue.

Tiny bits of minerals like dumortierite are responsible for this beautiful color. When it mixes into the quartz as it forms, it gives blue quartz its unique color.

Like red and green quartz, blue quartz is not very common. If you’re curious to know other blue gems that are just as beautiful, you can check out our article on that.

It can also come in different forms. While some are clear and almost see-through, others appear opaque.

Blue quartz is also loved for its soothing look. People believe it can help calm the mind and bring peace. Its unique and eye-catching color also makes it an appealing crystal for use in jewelry.

Where you can find blue quartz

Despite its rarity, blue quartz can be found in Virginia and North Carolina. These states have just the right conditions for this unique quartz to form.

Countries like Austria and Brazil also have blue quartz. Each of these places offers something different, making the hunt for blue quartz a fun and exciting adventure.

Black Quartz

Black quartz is like a piece of the night sky that turned into a rock. It’s so dark that it’s almost like looking into a deep, dark pool of water.

This type of quartz is really unique because it’s one of the few naturally black gemstones out there. It might look a little translucent when you hold it up to the light, but most of the time, it’s completely opaque, like a piece of black glass.

Its color is all thanks to natural radiation. When clear quartz is exposed to radiation over a long time, it changes and becomes this deep, dark black color.

Black quartz is popular for its strong and bold look. It’s often used in jewelry and decoration. People love it for its sleek and mysterious appearance. It adds a touch of mystery and elegance to anything it’s used in.

In the past, people even believed it had protective powers. They thought it could ward off bad vibes and keep them safe.

Where you can find black quartz

Also known as motion, black quartz is a bit of a rare find, but there are some places where you might come across it. In the USA, you have a fair chance of finding it in Arkansas and New York. Brazil is known for having black quartz, too.

White Quartz

Often called milky quartz, white quartz is like a piece of a cloud turned into a stone. Its color is a soft, translucent white, kind of like a frosted window.

This type of quartz is really neat. Like other white crystals, it’s like having a piece of pure, untouched snow in your hands.

White quartz is full of tiny bubbles and other little bits that get mixed in while it’s forming. These bubbles scatter the light, giving the quartz a white, cloudy appearance.

This quartz color is popular for its simple and clean look. Often used in decorations and jewelry, white quartz is loved for its pure and peaceful appearance. It adds a touch of calmness and simplicity to anything it’s used in.

Ancient people thought it had healing powers. They believed it could help make you feel better and bring good vibes.

Where you can find white quartz

A great thing about white quartz is that it’s pretty common. You can find it in a lot of different places, which makes it a great stone for beginner rockhounds.

You can find it in states like Arkansas, Colorado, and New York in the USA. Brazil and Madagascar also have white quartz.

Gray Quartz

Gray quartz is like a piece of a stormy sky turned into a rock. Its color ranges from a light, misty gray to a deeper, smokier shade. It’s like looking into a cloudy day, with its cool and mysterious tones.

When quartz is exposed to natural radiation from surrounding rocks, it slowly changes color. This process turns it from clear to a smoky gray.

Interestingly, gray quartz can vary a lot in how clear or cloudy it is, just like how other gray rocks are. Some pieces are almost transparent, while others are more opaque.

Another amazing thing about gray quartz is that it’s thought to have calming properties. Some believe it can help bring a sense of relaxation and peace. It’s like having a little piece of tranquility in a stone.

It’s also popular for its elegant look, so it’s often used in jewelry and decoration. People love it for its subtle and sophisticated appearance.

Where you can find gray quartz

Gray quartz, especially the smoky variety, can be found in some pretty cool places. In the USA, you can find it in states like Colorado and New Hampshire. These places provide the right conditions for the quartz to get its smoky gray color.

Other than these places, Brazil and Scotland are also known for having beautiful gray quartz.