SIZE: 8mm
STONE: Cherry Quartz (Manmade)
SHAPE: Round
PACKAGE: 26 Beads

 CHERRY QUARTZ: derives its name from the German word "Quarz". It is the second most common mineral in the Earth’s continental crust. Quartz goes by an array of different names. The most important distinction between types of Quartz is that of macrocrystalline (individual crystals visible to the unaided eye) and the microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline varieties (aggregates of crystals visible only under high magnification), often referred to as "Chalcedony." Cherry Quartz, as it occurs naturally, is rare and is more often referred to as "Strawberry Quartz." Strawberry Quartz gets is color from sparkly Hematite needles and is mined in Russia and Mexico. However, most of the inexpensive Cherry Quartz sold on the jewelry market today is either a color enhanced Quartz or a manmade gemstone with thin swirls and needles of pink. Cherry Quartz boasts the pink cherry color that sold very well in 2003 and 2004. The process of producing "lab-grown" or synthetic Cherry Quartz is laborious and only one plant in China is said to be producing this gem quality glass.