Crystal vs. Quartz — What's the Difference?

A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituents (such as atoms, molecules, or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions. In addition, macroscopic single crystals are usually identifiable by their geometrical shape, consisting of flat faces with specific, characteristic orientations.

Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica (silicon dioxide). The atoms are linked in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall chemical formula of SiO2.

A piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a natural geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged plane faces

A very hard mineral composed of silica, SiO2, found worldwide in many different types of rocks, including sandstone and granite. Varieties of quartz include agate, chalcedony, chert, flint, opal, and rock crystal.

Highly transparent glass with a high refractive index

(mineral) The most abundant mineral on the earth's surface, of chemical composition silicon dioxide, SiO₂. It occurs in a variety of forms, both crystalline and amorphous. Found in every environment.

Short for crystal meth (methamphetamine)

Crystal meth: methamphetamine hydrochloride.

Clear and transparent like crystal

A form of silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), occurring in hexagonal crystals, which are commonly colorless and transparent, but sometimes also yellow, brown, purple, green, and of other colors; also in cryptocrystalline massive forms varying in color and degree of transparency, being sometimes opaque.

A homogenous solid formed by a repeating, three-dimensional pattern of atoms, ions, or molecules and having fixed distances between constituent parts.

Colorless glass made of almost pure silica

The unit cell of such a pattern.

A hard glossy mineral consisting of silicon dioxide in crystal form; present in most rocks (especially sandstone and granite); yellow sand is quartz with iron oxide impurities

A mineral, especially a transparent form of quartz, having a crystalline structure, often characterized by external planar faces.

A natural or synthetic crystalline material having piezoelectric or semiconducting properties.

An electrical or electronic device that makes use of such a material, thereby allowing it to receive radio transmissions.

A high-quality, clear, colorless glass.

An object, especially a vessel or ornament, made of such glass.

Such objects considered as a group.

A clear glass or plastic protective cover for the face of a watch or clock.

(Slang) A stimulant drug, usually methamphetamine, in its powdered form.

Clear or transparent

(countable) A solid composed of an array of atoms or molecules possessing long-range order and arranged in a pattern which is periodic in three dimensions.

(countable) A piece of glimmering, shining mineral resembling ice or glass.

(uncountable) A fine type of glassware, or the material used to make it.

Crystal meth: methamphetamine hydrochloride.

A person's eye.

The glass over the dial of a watch case.

Very clear.

The regular form which a substance tends to assume in solidifying, through the inherent power of cohesive attraction. It is bounded by plane surfaces, symmetrically arranged, and each species of crystal has fixed axial ratios. See Crystallization.

The material of quartz, in crystallization transparent or nearly so, and either colorless or slightly tinged with gray, or the like; - called also rock crystal. Ornamental vessels are made of it. Cf. Smoky quartz, Pebble; also Brazilian pebble, under Brazilian.

A species of glass, more perfect in its composition and manufacture than common glass, and often cut into ornamental forms. See Flint glass.

The glass over the dial of a watch case.

Anything resembling crystal, as clear water, etc.

Consisting of, or like, crystal; clear; transparent; lucid; pellucid; crystalline.

A solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

A crystalline element used as a component in various electronic devices

A rock formed by the solidification of a substance; has regularly repeating internal structure; external plane faces

Colorless glass made of almost pure silica

Glassware made of quartz

A protective cover that protects the face of a watch