Quartz was used throughout history in making fine crystal balls and bowls. Today it is more often set in gold jewelry. The popularity of its many varieties is often taken for granted due to an affordable price.

Quartz often stands in for other gemstones such as diamonds or jade. However, it is beginning to be appreciated more for its own sake. From the velvet purple Amethyst to the juicy orange Citrine, to the bi-coloration of purple and yellow in Ametrine, an appreciation is developing for the carved gemstones and art cutting and carving.

There are rare specialties of Quartz such as Drusy Quartz, with its surface covered by tiny sparking crystals, and Rutilated Quartz, which has a landscape of shining gold needles inside- this particular variety is more valuable because of its inclusions (sometimes called Venus Hair). Tourmalinated Quartz has black or dark green tourmaline crystals. Rose Quartz is a fine powder pink. Transparent rose Quartz is very rare and is extremely pale; it does not show very much color except in large sizes. The translucent quality of rose Quartz is used for beads, cabochons, carvings, and architectural purposes. Smoky Quartz is a brown Quartz which is often mistaken for Topaz. Tiger's Eye Quartz has a special chatoyancy which leads it to resemble the eye of a feline. It contains brown iron which produces its golden-yellow color. It is most often found in South Africa, though it is also found in Western Australia, Burma (Myanmar), India and the U.S. (California). Rock Crystal is a transparent colorless variety of Quartz.

Chalcedony is Quartz that is formed not of one single crystal but finely grained micro crystals. The variety of chalcedony is great because it includes cryptocrystalline Quartz with patterns, as well as a wide range of solid colors. Agates are banded, bloodstone has red spots on a green ground, and moss agate has a vegetal pattern. Jasper sometimes looks like a landscape painting. Black onyx is chalcedony Quartz which owes its even black color to an ancient dyeing process that is still used today. Carnelian, another chalcedony valued in the ancient world, has a vivid brownish orange color and clear translucency that makes it popular for signet rings and seals. Chrysoprase, a bright apple green translucent chalcedony, is the most valued. It was a particular favorite of Frederick the Great of Prussia, who loved its bright green color. It can be seen today decorating many buildings in beautiful Prague, including the Chapel of St Wenceslas. Chrysoprase is found today mostly in Australia. Unlike most other green stones, which owe their color to chromium or vanadium, chrysoprase derives its color from nickel. Its bright even color and texture lends itself well to beads, cabochons, and carvings.

The word ‘crystallos’ actually means "frozen." The best rock crystal has the clarity and shimmer of water. Large flawless specimens of rock crystal are uncommon, which is why crystal balls nowadays are made from glass.

Rock crystal and onyx are a popular combination in Art Deco jewelry, and legends about the powers of Quartz crystals to benefit one’s health and well-being have led to the popularity of colorless Quartz.