Quartz

Quartz is the second most common mineral in the earth’s crust. It comprises the majority of sand beaches in the world due to its abundance, hardness and resistance to erosion. It also forms crystals which can be very large.

Although often transparent or white, other color varieties include amethyst (purple), citrine (yellow-orange) and gray or black (smoky). This exhibition includes recent acquisitions, an important specimen from Pennsylvania, early DuPont collection examples, and a “mystery” crystal given by Quaesita Drake, a chemistry professor, for whom Drake Hall is named.