kworts
QUARTZ A hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms, one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust.
24
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
💡 Pro Tip:
QUARTZ uses the high-value Q (10 pts) and Z (10 pts) with common letters, making it more playable than many Q-words. The QU- beginning is familiar to players, and -ARTZ ending can often be built from existing board words like ART or ARTS.
Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms (silicon dioxide - SiO₂). It is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. Quartz occurs in many varieties, from clear rock crystal to purple amethyst, pink rose quartz, and smoky quartz.
This versatile mineral has been prized throughout human history for both its beauty and utility. Ancient civilizations used quartz for tools and decorative objects, while modern technology relies on its piezoelectric properties in watches, radios, and computer chips.
In word games, 'quartz' is particularly valuable because it uses common letters (U, A, R, T) alongside the high-scoring Q and Z. This balance makes it more playable than many other Q-Z combinations, especially when you need to clear difficult tiles from your rack.
Quartz crystals have unique properties that make them essential in technology. They vibrate at precise frequencies when electrical current is applied, making them perfect for keeping time in watches and providing stable frequencies in electronic devices.
The word 'quartz' has an interesting journey through multiple languages. It entered English in the 1750s from German 'Quarz,' which itself has uncertain origins. Some linguists trace it to Middle High German 'twarc' (dwarf), possibly referencing the belief that underground gnomes placed crystals in the earth. Another theory connects it to the Slavic languages, particularly Czech 'tvrdý' (hard) or Polish 'twardy' (hard), reflecting the mineral's notable hardness. The word might have entered German through mining terminology, as many mining terms came from Slavic languages due to the important mining regions in Central Europe.
Words with similar meaning
CRYSTAL
Clear mineral form
SILICA
Chemical compound
MINERAL
Natural substance
GEMSTONE
Precious stone
ROCK CRYSTAL
Clear quartz variety
Words with opposite meaning
ORGANIC
Living matter
SOFT
Not hard
SOLUBLE
Dissolvable
ARTIFICIAL
Man-made
Plural Form
quartzes
Adjective Form
quartzose, quartzitic
Related Terms
Crystalline form of quartz
Pink variety of quartz
Gray/brown variety
Timepiece using quartz
Deposit in rock
Total base points: 24 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 4
Can be built from:
Can extend to:
Other high-scoring 6-letter words (Scrabble)
If you can't play QUARTZ, consider these subwords:
"The jeweler examined the rose quartz pendant under a magnifying glass to verify its authenticity."
"Quartz crystals in the watch oscillate at precisely 32,768 times per second, keeping accurate time."
"The granite countertop contained visible specks of quartz that sparkled in the sunlight."
Quartz transformed timekeeping in the 1960s-70s, making accurate watches affordable worldwide. The "Quartz Crisis" disrupted centuries-old Swiss mechanical watchmaking, while simultaneously democratizing precise timekeeping. Today, quartz oscillators control everything from computer processors to GPS satellites, making modern digital life possible through their precise frequency control.
Across cultures, quartz crystals hold deep spiritual significance. Ancient civilizations carved quartz into ceremonial objects and tools. Modern crystal healing attributes various properties to different quartz varieties—clear quartz for clarity, rose quartz for love, amethyst for wisdom. While scientifically unproven, the crystal healing industry generates billions annually, reflecting quartz's enduring cultural resonance.
Quartz sand forms the backbone of glass manufacturing, creating everything from windows to smartphone screens. High-purity quartz enables semiconductor fabrication, making it essential for computer chips and solar panels. The global quartz market exceeds $14 billion annually, supporting industries from construction to aerospace through its unique combination of hardness, chemical resistance, and electrical properties.
Quartz vs Quarts
Quartz is mineral, quarts is volume measure
Singular/Plural
Quartz is both singular and plural, though quartzes exists
Crystal vs Quartz
All quartz is crystal, not all crystals are quartz
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like QUARTZ