Kvarcas

Kvarcas is the Lithuanian term for quartz, the common mineral with the chemical formula SiO2. In geological and mineralogical contexts, kvarcas refers to the crystalline forms of quartz as well as its cryptocrystalline varieties when used in broader descriptions. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth’s crust and occurs in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. The term kvarcas is used in Lithuanian-language texts and is commonly encountered in field guides, museums, and educational resources describing mineralogy.

Quartz crystallizes in the hexagonal system and most often forms prismatic crystals with pyramidal terminations, though it also appears as massive, granular, or microcrystalline aggregates. It exhibits a wide color range due to trace impurities, including colorless quartz, amethyst (purple), citrine (yellow), rose quartz, and smoky quartz. Its luster is vitreous, and its fracture is conchoidal. The mineral is extremely hard, ranking 7 on the Mohs scale.

Occurrence and uses: kvarcas appears in a variety of geological environments and is widely distributed worldwide. Major producers include countries in South America, Asia, and Africa. Quartz has numerous industrial applications: it is a key component in glassmaking and ceramics, used as an aggregate and filler, and, in electronic industries, quartz crystals provide piezoelectric oscillators and timing devices due to their stable frequency characteristics.

Etymology: the Lithuanian word kvarcas is derived from the German word Quarz, reflecting historical borrowing in scientific terminology. The term is primarily used within Lithuanian-language geology and mineralogy literature.

See also: Quartz, Silica, Mineralogy.

---