Difference Between Glass and Quartz

Difference Between Glass and Quartz

August 27, 2018 Off By Techinstro

Although we may be using glass and quartz in our everyday lives, if asked to state the differences between the two it seems very difficult. Today, quartz and glass used in a wide variety of industrial and ornamental purposes all over the world.

On the one hand, glass mainly used for making window panes, chandeliers, prisms, pendants, necklaces and other jewelry. On the other side, quartz is omnipresent in today’s watch batteries and other small electronic gadgets. Generally, many might have noticed or r5learned the terms ‘quartz crystal’ or ‘liquid quartz’ being mentioned in the technical specifications section for electronic gadgets and watches. These are nothing more than technical terms, as the glass called as ‘cut glass crystal’ and quartz is known as ‘quartz crystal.’ The glass may also be termed as fine crystal, cut crystal, Austrian crystal or Swarovski crystal.

There are four significant differences between glass and quartz. These have enlisted below:

1. Silicon Dioxide content

Artificial and natural quartz crystal has over 99% silicon dioxide content whereas cut glass crystal is found to have only about 80% of silicon dioxide.

Apart from this, glass contains typically around 32% lead, which enhances its qualities multifold. By mixing lead while fabricating glass crystals, it inherently increases refraction of light. It in turn ensures a shinier and clearer end-product, which results in a higher value of the glass product.

2. Chemical structure

The next significant difference between the two has to do with their chemical structures. On the one hand, natural and artificial cut glass crystals tend to have a randomly arranged molecular structure. While on the other hand, quartz and other natural crystals always have a highly symmetrical molecular structure.

As its molecules are arranged in a random pattern, glass classified as an amorphous solid. Even naturally occurring quartz and semi-precious gemstones can induce with randomly arranged molecular structure, through intense weathering and pressure processes. Although most natural crystals need to undergo a refining process like polishing and cutting to get the perfectly symmetrical shape, quartz is also more popular as it comes in a variety of attractive colors. You commonly find quartz crystals in rose, purple, golden yellow, smoke, and other such colors.

3. Pressure and Temperature

The third vital difference between glass and quartz has to do with the amount of pressure and temperature that each can withstand. Even though cut glass crystals and natural quartz crystal formed in the deeper layers of the earth’s crust, the quartz crystal is known to resist at a higher temperature and pressure comparatively.

It makes it an ideal alternative for use in high temperature and pressure applications, where glass cannot use effectively.

4. Conductivity

Last, but not least, the fourth main difference between glass and quartz is relating to their ability to conduct or insulate.

It is highly important in terms of industrial applications. It is well known that glass is good at working to insulate against electric currents, quartz works impressively as a conductor of electricity.

Owing to these opposing properties, both glass crystals and quartz crystals find widespread applications as electrical insulators and conductors, respectively.