When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Quartz crystal growth is one of a few intriguing natural processes that has been copied from Mother Nature and implemented in the laboratory. Industrial growth of commercial quartz crystals for their unique piezoelectric and optical properties has produced the necessary components for electronic and optical devices for about 70 years already.XSTALSHOP (divisionofR&D XTALS, Inc)has recently adapted this hydrothermal growth process with the aim of creating natural-looking crystal specimens for mineral collectors, museums, educators, as well asobjects d?artfor other buyers.
The term "hydrothermal" is used to describe a crystallization method utilizing superheated (about 660 F (350 C)), mainly alkaline aqueous solutions at very high pressure,EXCEEDING 10,000 psi (>70 MPa). The crystals are grown in an airtight, thick-walled, steel vessel called an autoclave.We called that autoclave as "high pressure cooker".Pressure in the autoclave is built up solely by electrical heating.Crystals begin forming on "seeds", which are broken natural quartz clusters, and/or slices and pieces of natural or grown quartz crystals. Crushed pieces of naturally abundant milky quartz are the raw vein material for growth.
This process is complex, very energy intensive, requires specific controls, and can be dangerous. It cannot and should not be done at home. Researchers from R&D XTALS have nearly 64 years of combined experience with hydrothermal growth techniques for quartz and several other crystals, and have the requisite educational background in geology and mineralogy. They also have the necessary patience to constantly monitor the batches of growing crystals over a long time from a few months to a few years. However, this is just a blink of an eye compared to the eons-long time scale required for some natural crystal growth.
The faces on each crystal are built up, molecular layer by molecular layer, undisturbed, and in full darkness. They have not been cut, polished, or touched in any way to enhance their beauty after growth. Close inspection may reveal faint traces of the seed inside individual crystals, but all of the external faces are natural shapes with natural luster. Some crystals or its pieces are hydrothermally etched after growth to reveal structural peculiarities and defects, which are importantfor scientific, style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Quartz is a hard mineral and cannot be scratched easily, but it is brittle. Many our specimens are placed in a plastic display caseto prevent dust accumulation and protect against chipping and breaking.The crystals can be cleaned with warmsoapy waterand air duster indefinitely, and they are insoluble in practically all chemicals. Just avoid touching the very sharp edges and points.
These quartz crystals will last for a long time to educate you and decorate your mineral display or cocktail table at home. Some sensitive people perceive positive energy coming from our quartz crystals (observed at many mineral shows). They use them for healing themselves and others; but everyone can find enjoyment and improved mood just by looking at these sparkling crystals and moving them in the light.
For sale is oneexquisite specimenofthe lab-grown and hydrothermally etched quartzcrystalplate shown onthe pictures.
Thesebeautiful crystal plates were cutfrom the large lab growncrystals perpendicular to the optical axis "c". Oneside of each plate is a precisely X-ray oriented flat cut surface. The oppositeone is a rough “cobbled” surface of as grown pinacoidal face {0001}, formed on the lab grown quartz crystals.
The large8” x 3” plates just a little bit trimmed in length and have mitered cornersformed by Rhombohedral and prismatic faces. All the shorter plates were trimmedto the mainly rectangular shapes. The longer side faces are parallel to thetrigonal prisms. The shorter ones are hexagonal prisms faces.
The thicknessof plates varied from 2 to 6 mm because the “cobble” surfaces are freely grownand its growth rate in different end of the crystals is depends of thehydrodynamic inside of the growth chamber.
Theformed plates then etched in hydrothermal conditions to reveal the dislocationexits via etch pits and etch channels.The shape of etch pits andetch channels arevaries dependingon crystal surfaces.Main pinacoidalsurfaces have triangle etch pits,positive trigonal prism"+a"havespindleshapeetch pits,and negative trigonal prisms"-a"havedouble terminated negative natural quartz crystal shape.
Studyof etch pits shapes and its distribution on faces with magnifying glass orunder microscope can bring you a magic story. Plates can beused also for stone cutting, craftsman of decorated windows and light fixtures.Some slightly chipped edges and matt spots on surfaces might be available.
The specimen length measures for5.5 inch (14 cm), 6 inch (15.3 cm), 6.5 inch (16.5 cm), 7 inch (17.7 cm), 7.5inch (19 cm), 8 inch (20.3 cm).
Thespecimen’s width is almost 3 inch (7.6 cm) except one, which is 5.5 inch long x4 inch wide. Weighs about from 106 to 200grams(0.23 to 0.44 pounds) depends of the shape and its thickness.
You can find an additional informationabout quartz crystals and growth process on the Wikipedia website with keywords: quartz, crystal, single synthesis, seedcrystal,crystal growth, etc.
Thank you for buying ourspecimens. Positive response will be very appreciated.
All photographs are copyright ofR&D XTALS, Inc.
© 2005-2024, R&D XTALS, Inc. All rights reserved. The information in this material is educational and promotional in nature.
PAYMENT METHODS ACCEPTED: PAYPAL ANDOTHER FORMS OF PAYMENT VIA .
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE. WE SHIP DOMESTIC PACKAGES USING USPS, FedEx, UPS. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO COMBINE ALL ITEMS WON WITHIN A 7-DAY PERIOD AND WILL CHARGE ONLY ACTUAL COMBINED POSTAGE COSTS. WE PROFESSIONALLY PACKAGE YOUR ITEMS USING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR SAFE DELIVERY.INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE NOTE:Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please inquire at your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to offerding/buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up. Do not be confused by them for additional shipping charges.
WE MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO SHIP YOUR ITEMS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PAYMENT, USUALLY SOONER. WE SHIP MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY EVERY WEEK.
WE ACCEPT NO RETURNS. PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.OUR BEST METHOD OF CONTACT IS VIA EMAIL. WE RESPOND PROMPTLY.
offer WITH CONFIDENCE.Add XTALSHOP to My favorite sellers.
