HOW ARE CRYSTALS, ROCKS, AND GEMS USED IN TECHNOLOGY? 1. Quartz crystal has been one of the popular crystals used in modern times. 2. Quartz can convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. 	a. When a Quartz crystal is put under pressure, it creates an electrical charge that can be aimed and directed. 	b. The “Piezoelectric Effect” that Quartz crystals demonstrate allow them to be used by charging the crystal with some form of electrical charge, and then use the energy stored in the crystal to power another mechanical object. 	c. Quartz crystals can be used to receive energy as well as process energy and store energy. 3. Quartz crystals were used in the following types of technology: 	a. Sonar 	b. Ultrasound 	c. Radios 	d. Transistors 	e. Computer chips 	f. Digital watches 	g. Amplifiers in electric guitars 	h. Microphones 	i. Most digital electronic devices 4. Quartz can be used to create a small spark and can be used to ignite gases. 	a. They have been used in gas powered appliances like ovens, grills, heaters, lighters and more. 5. Different crystals vibrate at different frequencies which can affect the ways that they can be used in technology or for other reasons. 6. Galena and Pyrite crystals are perfect for being used to build a radio transmitter as well. 	a. They use multiple crystals at a time to signal at different frequencies and transmit different types of electronic information. 7. Silicon crystals are known to be used in all computers, tablets, cell phones, and televisions. 	a. Liquid crystals are used to create the display screens on different types of cell phones, tablets, computers, etc. 8. Ruby gems were the first crystals to be used to create lasers with. 	a. They have a great ability to focus their energy because of their type of crystalline structure. 9. Pencils, one of the greatest inventions of all time, use graphite to create the marks with, and graphite is a type of crystal! 10. Garnet crystals are used to make sandpaper with. 11. Diamond crystals are used in rock cutting drill bits and saws. 12. Calcite crystals are ground up and used to make tums and calcite can be heated up to make cement with. 13. Gypsum crystals are heated and powered to make plaster. 14. Halite (salt) crystal are used on food and to cook with as well as in many industrial chemical processes. They are also used to get rid of ice or to keep water from forming into ice. 15. Magnetite and Hematite crystals are what makes up Iron Ore. 16. Kaolinite crystals are used in Kaopectate. The future is expected to be great for the use of crystals and gems because they are a huge part of technology, especially electronics. Electronic use is expected to continue and increase.
