THE MATERIAL LIBRARY
Crystal
A broad retail word that may mean natural quartz or manufactured glass.
Colors & patterns
Often colorless and transparent; colored products also occur.
Typical origins
Natural rock crystal occurs in many countries; manufactured crystal is made rather than mined.
Hardness
Depends on identity; quartz is 7
Choosing & setting this material
The illustration represents clear quartz. Confirm whether a product is natural quartz, synthetic quartz or glass before relying on any hardness or origin description.
Care & cleaning
Clean gently with lukewarm water, a little mild soap and a soft cloth, then dry. Avoid steam, ultrasonic cleaners, harsh chemicals and sudden temperature changes, especially when treatments are unknown.
Origins above describe typical sources of the material, not the origin of an illustrated or stocked stone. Hardness measures scratch resistance, not resistance to breaking. Confirm the identity and treatments of the actual piece.
Further reading: Material reference · GIA: gem treatments