##TeamQuartz
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mariagorick.bsky.social
The startling white #Quartzite of #Holyhead Mountain. Composed of almost pure #Quartz, this rock was quarried to create the 1.7 mile #Breakwater. For more than 150 years, resilient #Quartz has provided a safe harbour for shipping, enabling travel and trade. #MinCup26 #TeamQuartz
A mountain, composed of white quartzite, overlooks sea cliffs. A small number of houses can be seen on the grassy slopes.
October 1, 2026 at 11:25 PM
minouette.bsky.social
I’m #TeamQuartz in #MinCup26 but today’s
#sciArtSeptember prompt carbon lines up with graphite, so I am sharing my #linocut of Millie Dresselhaus (née Spiewak; 1930 – 2017). She was a professor of physics & electrical engineering at MIT, known as the Queen of Carbon Science.

In this linocut I’ve
My linocut portrait of Millie Dresselhaus in white sweater, red blazer, and C for carbon necklace, with the structure of a carbon nanotube behind her, in red, silver and black ink.
September 30, 2026 at 12:37 PM
yirara-bah.bsky.social
Yay to #TeamQuartz. So glad a properly hard mineral won with all the softies this year. No: No more quartz goodness in future #minCups to come. Boo: Cheating is just lame. Idea: If there are enough winners, what about a winner short mincup just with these?
October 2, 2026 at 9:17 AM
minouette.bsky.social
QUARTZ! QUARTZ! QUARTZ!

#TeamQuartz #MinCup26
mineralcup.bsky.social Mineral Cup & Ore Cup @mineralcup.bsky.social · 2d
We're in the final match of #MinCup26. Are you voting for brilliant beauty #Cuprite? Or supporting the durable and lovely #Quartz?

VOTE: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
RESULTS: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
rounder red cuprite sits with icy-white quartz.
October 1, 2026 at 1:53 PM
minouette.bsky.social
Two faves for both my art or physics voting scheme, but I have always been #TeamQuartz #MinCup26!

Quartz has been carved, used in pigments & the preparation of canvases since antiquity.
20% of the crust & representative elastic moduli, piezoelectricity & its role in clocks, electronics, GPS!
My mini linocut with quartz crystals and word “Quartz” in script in slate grey. Some of the facets of the crystals are printed onto collaged iridescent translucent paper so they have a pink to pale blue sheen. This small linocut represents the chemical element Silicon, with its diamond cubic crystal structure shown in silver. Its symbol, atomic number and a couple of its forms are shown in lilac. Silicon is common in the Earth's crust in, especially in silicate minerals like the quartz crystals shown in each corner. The seafloor is litered with microscopic radialarians, which build their amazing skeletons with biogenic silica. Four such creatures circle the symbol for Silicon on the periodic table. The print is one of an edition of 14, each 6" x 6" (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm) printed on Japanese kozo paper. Rembrandt, A Young Lady Smiling 1633 Medium: Oil Support: Oak panel Size: 52.4 x 44 cm Art period: Baroque Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden – Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (State Art Gallery Dresden) Gallery Nr 1556 Image credit: The Rembrandt Database, normal light studies: photograph, overall (front), 2005, (record number 15550); Rembrandt Bust of a young woman smiling possibly Saskia van Uylenburgh, dated 1633, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden – Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden, inv./cat. no. 1556 The sitter was most probably Rembrandt’s wife Saskia van Uylenburgh. Contains Quartz via Colourlex. The strawberry blonde in big red hat and blue dress looks over her shoulder to smile at the viewer. Title: Chalcedonic quartz seal set in a gold ring Period: Late Classical Date: 4th century BCE Culture: Greek Medium: Quartz, brown paste, gold Dimensions: Length: 13/16 in. (2 cm) Classification: Gems Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1923 Object Number: 23.160.72 Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art Bacchic demon, half lion, half winged satyr carved into chalcedonic quartz seal in a gold ring via The Met
September 30, 2026 at 1:47 PM
mariagorick.bsky.social
Bwa Gwyn (The White Arch) near #Rhoscolyn. Enduring fierce winds and storms, this spectacular sea arch, sculpted from #Quartzite, is a monument to the resilience and beauty of #Quartz
#TeamQuartz
#MinCup26 #YnysMon #Anglesey
A massive white quartzite arch rises from the sea beneath a blue sky.
October 1, 2026 at 8:28 AM
laurentheflute.bsky.social
I love graphite SO much. BUT not as much as I love quartz. I really think this is quartz's year, and I think we need this. In a time of fear, pain, and uncertainty, let's celebrate the joy and wonder of being a kid falling in love with rocks and minerals for the first time.

#teamquartz as always
mineralcup.bsky.social Mineral Cup & Ore Cup @mineralcup.bsky.social · 3d
#MinCup26 Semifinal 2
It’s a match sure to break hearts between industrial powerhouses piezoelectric #quartz and lubricating #graphite!

(With the correct links this time!)

VOTE: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
RESULTS: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
Split photo between a pair of glassy-clear terminated quartz crystals and flaky blades of dark grey graphite at odd angles to each other, with green crystals around them.
September 30, 2026 at 4:48 AM
xtalgrrl.bsky.social
I have to be #TeamQuartz on this one. Quartz is used as a pressure standard in high pressure crystallography experiments. It's a reliable friend in a stressful situation! #minCup26
mineralcup.bsky.social Mineral Cup & Ore Cup @mineralcup.bsky.social · 2d
#MinCup26 FINALS!!!
We have a pair of geometric beauties as deep red #Cuprite is against versatile #Quartz.

VOTE: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
RESULTS: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
Split image of fine red needles of cuprite on one side and chunky clear quartz crystals on the other.
October 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
eos.org
Two widely used and interesting minerals! 🤔 It’s a tough choice, but we’ll continue on #TeamQuartz — did you know the outer rings of Stonehenge are mostly made of this mineral? eos.org/articles/sta...
September 30, 2026 at 7:09 PM
minouette.bsky.social
fill in their questionnaire and help them out with a little feedback and any suggestions you might have for their 11th season!

It’s been fun. Thanks to fellow mineral campaigners too.

#TeamQuartz we did it!
Annual Mineral Cup Players Survey — Mineral Cup & Ore Cup
www.mineralcup.org
October 2, 2026 at 12:18 PM
nadwgab.bsky.social
Vote for quartz, the only mineral cool enough to feature in the Lego Minerals set three times!
1) Tiny colourless acicular crystals associated with red rhodochrosite
2) An amethyst geode
3) Orange "tangerine quartz"
#TeamQuartz #MinCup26
Close up of two Lego figures: dark red rhodochrosite cubes on a black matrix with colourless acicular quartz crystals, and a dark purple amethyst geode. A Lego model of tangerine quartz. It's a deep orange colour with white tips.
September 6, 2026 at 6:08 PM
nadwgab.bsky.social
If quartz has one million fans, then I am one of them.
If quartz has ten fans, then I am one of them.
If quartz has only one fan, then that fan is me.
If quartz has no fans, then I am no longer alive.
If the world is against quartz, then I am against the world.
#MinCup26 #MineralMonday #TeamQuartz
A cluster of long milky white quartz prisms dotted with small golden crystals of pyrite. From Cornwall, UK. On display in the Natural History Museum, London.
August 31, 2026 at 6:55 PM
dtwyman.bsky.social
Encouraging everyone to vote for the beautiful, resilient, diverse, and essential quartz. Be like quartz #TeamQuartz

bsky.app/profile/dtwy...
mineralcup.bsky.social Mineral Cup & Ore Cup @mineralcup.bsky.social · 2d
#MinCup26 FINALS!!!
We have a pair of geometric beauties as deep red #Cuprite is against versatile #Quartz.

VOTE: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
RESULTS: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
Split image of fine red needles of cuprite on one side and chunky clear quartz crystals on the other.
October 1, 2026 at 1:48 AM
nadwgab.bsky.social
I wake up and quartz is behind? How? Look at what you can do with it! Patrick Dreher spent 500+ hours carving this octopus from a single quartz crystal. The chimps were carved from a single piece of agate by Gerd and Patrick Dreher #TeamQuartz #MinCup26 #SciArt
A very intricate carving of an octopus made from a colourless piece of quartz. It looks like it's perching on a boulder. On display in the Natural History Museum, London. A double terminate crystal of slightly smoky quartz next to the octopus. It's from Grisons, Switzerland. On display in the Natural History Museum, London. Three chimpanzees carved from a single piece of agate. Their fur is black and their hands are brown. Two chimps at the front are looking at each other while the third one has its back turned towards them. On display in the Natural History Museum, London. An example of the agate the three chimps were carved from. It's shaped like a V and is black on the outside and brown on the inside. An outline of the chimps is drawn on top. The agate is from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. On display in the Natural History Museum, London.
September 6, 2026 at 8:05 AM
nadwgab.bsky.social
Are people voting for asagiite because it's green? Quartz can do that too! Here's quartz coloured green by chlorite inclusions #TeamQuartz #MinCup26
One tapered quartz crystal with several smaller tapered crystals at its base. It's dark green in colour. On display in the Natural History Museum, London.
September 6, 2026 at 4:09 PM
maiainmi.bsky.social
#TeamQuartz #MinCup #MineralCup2026
Amethyst geode, a rough brown exterior with deep purple amethyst cystals inside, surrounded by white crystals.
October 1, 2026 at 12:19 AM
bkania.bsky.social
Ok #TeamQuartz good hustle! NOW put your shoulder into it for #Quartz for #MinCup26 for the #Win! All the way‼️
You can still #Vote 4 Quartz, there are 6 hours left! #TikTock⏱️
Check it out here at @mineralcup.bsky.social
October 1, 2026 at 5:59 PM
tkirkm.bsky.social
I am #TeamQuartz but my son’s argument for #Graphite is that it’s “layers of the strongest and thinnest material known to man “ (graphene) and I thought that was worth contributing. Also they’re both hexagonal and that’s the best shape!
September 30, 2026 at 6:51 PM
andromedaphoenix.bsky.social
TEAM QUARTZ WINS BABY

I hope the mineral cup goes on for enough years that we can have a winner's only bracket and truly determine what is the Best Mineral...

#MinCup26 #TeamQuartz
mineralcup.bsky.social Mineral Cup & Ore Cup @mineralcup.bsky.social · 1d
Congratulations, Quartz!

After a decade of #MinCup, this key rock-forming mineral of optical tricks is the #MinCup26 Champion!

Due to intense manipulation attempts in the final hours, the exact winning margin is still being audited. Please join us tomorrow for celebration!
A clear double-terminated quartz crystal with petroleum inclusions. Credit: John Sobolewski
October 2, 2026 at 6:23 AM
bkania.bsky.social
I can respect that. Just don't use anything with #Quartz in it while you are😏😎 #TeamQuartz #MinCup26
Ali G: Respect!
Alt: Ali G: Respect!
static.klipy.com
October 1, 2026 at 3:19 AM
bkania.bsky.social
youtu.be/LvOqtGxOb_s?...

#MinCup26 #TeamQuartz
#DollyParton would #Vote 4 #Quartz
#Appalachia
You can too! @mineralcup.bsky.social
October 1, 2026 at 3:04 AM
waterbarnes.bsky.social
Past me (i.e. ribbons & beads in my hair crystal wearing high school aged me) means I will be #TeamQuartz forever
September 26, 2026 at 12:43 AM
notkaspeck.bsky.social
#TeamQuartz all the way. #MinCup26
mineralcup.bsky.social Mineral Cup & Ore Cup @mineralcup.bsky.social · 2d
#MinCup26 FINALS!!!
We have a pair of geometric beauties as deep red #Cuprite is against versatile #Quartz.

VOTE: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
RESULTS: www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-re...
Split image of fine red needles of cuprite on one side and chunky clear quartz crystals on the other.
October 1, 2026 at 12:10 AM
bkania.bsky.social
#Quartz #TeamQuartz #MinCup26
October 1, 2026 at 9:34 PM
nadwgab.bsky.social
Everything in this cut and polished slab is quartz. It consists of brecciated reddish-brown jasper and banded agate which have been cemented together with amethyst. From Kunnersdorf, Saxony, Germany.

Vote for quartz! #TeamQuartz #MinCup26
A cut and polished slab showing angular pieces of reddish-brown jasper and banded agate which have been cemented with colourless quartz and amethyst. Specimen from the Natural History Museum, London collection.
September 6, 2026 at 8:17 PM