These "quartzes" are fancy manmade glass from China. We originally were told that cherry "quartz," the first of these stones we carried, was a new synthetic or irradiated quartz. This includes cherry quartz, opalized or "moonstone" quartz, pineapple quartz, blueberry quartz, watermelon quartz, pepper quartz and cloud quartz. These stones are distinguishable from natural quartz by occasional, accidental bubble inclusions and a lower resistance to scratches and breakage. However, manmade quartzes are cut, faceted and polished just like any gemstone. Incidentally, the immensely popular fiber optic beads are also a manmade quartz.
Blue "Quartz"
These exquisite glass beads are made of dense, stormy-blue swirls and are rather opaque.
Blueberry "Quartz"
Beautiful, deep-blue needles are dispersed throughout the clear glass of this manmade gemstone.
Cherry "Quartz"
This manmade gemstone is a very pretty mixture of clear glass with thin swirls and needles of pink. Cherry "quartz" boasts the pink cherry color that has been selling well in 2003 and 2004. This hue is very similar to Swarovski®'s color padparadscha. Some people use the name "strawberry quartz" for the stone we call "cherry 'quartz'." However, true strawberry quartz is a naturally occurring (if somewhat rare) strawberry-colored stone with sparkly hematite needles. It is found in Russia and Mexico. We're told our cherry "quartz" is made from glass melted in a furnace and then combined with a coloring agent that produces the cloudy or swirled inclusions. Once the desired color is reached, the glass is allowed to cool. We've heard this is not as easy as it sounds. Only one plant in China is reported to be doing this as a commercial venture.
Cloud "Quartz"
Don't expect them to start raining, but these whimsical beads are filled with fluffy white cloudlike inclusions. The manmade gemstone is fairly opaque.
Color Change "Quartz"
This manmade gemstone is sometimes mistaken for alexandrite (a chrysoberyl). It is called "color-change" because it is nearly clear under some light sources and purplish under others.
Opalized "Quartz"
aka Opalite, Moonstone Quartz, Sea Opal
These shimmery, ghostly beads project a blue sheen when worn against most colors, but take on a yellowish tinge when against white. The manmade gemstone has a cloudy center and few visible inclusions.
Pineapple "Quartz"
This manmade gemstone comes in clear glass beads containing thin swirls and needles of pale yellow.
Courtesy of Rings & Things Wholesale of Spokane, WA
