About

Aura quartz is either natural or synthetic quartz that has been artificially coated with a thin layer of metal, such as titanium, gold, or platinum, to create an iridescent effect. This is typically done though a process called Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD).

Aura quartz can be applied to numerous shapes from clusters, towers, tumbles and spheres. The colours can vary depending on the mix of metals used.

Birthstones & Anniversaries

Aura quartz is not a traditional birthstone.

Crystal Healing Energy

The overarching theme of aura quartz is joy and spiritual elevation and is believed to inspire creativity and promote positivity. Some believe that the coating ‘muffles’ the natural energy of the crystal.

Facts

Vapour Deposition Process: The process most commonly used is called vapour deposition (or “vacuum deposition”). The crystal is placed in a chamber with vaporised metals that bond to the quartz at high temperatures.

Durability: The metal coating is molecularly bonded to the quartz, which makes most aura treatments relatively durable when compared to simple dyes or surface paints.

Variability: While certain mixtures of metals are standard (e.g., gold for aqua aura), individual labs may experiment with different ratios or trace metals to produce varying hues, leading to slight colour differences among aura quartz pieces of the ‘same’ variety.

Science

Mineral: Quartz
Crystal System: Trigonal
Chemistry: SiO₂ (with metallic coating)
Colour: Iridescent rainbow, gold, aqua, pink, and more (depending on the metal coating)
Refractive Index: 1.544 to 1.553 (base quartz)
Specific Gravity: 2.65 (base quartz)

Treatments

Aura quartz is a product of a treatment and typically no further treatments are applied. It is created by bonding quartz with a thin layer of vaporised metal through a high-temperature vacuum chamber process. Metals like titanium, gold, or platinum are fused with the quartz, creating its characteristic iridescence. This treatment is permanent and widely accepted in the market.

Synthetics

Synthetic quartz may occasionally be used as the base material for aura quartz.

Imitations

Glass or plastic coated with metallic finishes is sometimes used to imitate aura quartz. These imitations lack the hardness and natural structure of quartz.

similar materials

Mystic Topaz: A natural topaz treated with a thin metallic coating to create an iridescent rainbow effect. Mystic topaz has a harder surface and a different base mineral composition but resembles aura quartz in its vivid and colourful sheen.