Water Etched Quartz Crystal refers to quartz crystal of different forms that has been treated with either natural or chemical etching to provide it with wonderful designs on its surface
Formation:
Fluorescence of quartz is caused by etching of the surface of the crystalline quartz in water, either in natural (like in water flow of a river, a stream, or a cave) or in artificial conditions in laboratories. The water softens the surface of the quartz and forms channel patterns.
Characteristics:
Intricate patterns: Scanning electron micrograph and optical microscopy analysis of water etched quartz crystals reveal that the samples possess several very fine, network like features such as:
Channels
Grooves
Pits
Etched faces
Surface texture:
The etching can be smooth or matte, but can also have a somewhat rough texture.
Clarity: It was found that depending on the depth of water etching, quartz may be fully transparent or gray and opaque.
Colors: Sometimes can have faint shades or particles of another mineral due to presence of impurities.
Types of Water Etched Quartz:
Natural Water Etched Quartz: Natural product of geological processes, for instance river worn quarz.
Artificially Etched Quartz: Manufactured under rigid test tube conditions.
Combination: Certain of the crystals described above may both experience endogenous and exogenous etching.
