The Colorful World of Quartz: Chromophores Explained

Do all varieties of quartz contain chromophores?

Chromophores are present in all varieties of quartz except ____:

a) Amethyst

b) Citrine

c) Rose Quartz

d) Smoky Quartz

Final answer:

Answer:

All varieties of quartz mentioned in the question - amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, and rose quartz - contain chromophores that give them distinct colors, so none of the options listed lacks chromophores.

Chromophores are responsible for the beautiful variety of colors found in different types of quartz. In the case of amethyst, it is the trace amounts of iron ions (Fe³⁺) that give it the characteristic purple color. Similarly, other varieties of quartz have their own unique hues due to the presence of different chromophores.

Using the process of elimination based on the provided information, we can determine that all options listed - amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, and rose quartz - have chromophores, as they are known for their distinctive colors.

Quartz, or silicon dioxide (SiO₂), is found in various colors and forms in nature. However, all the varieties listed in the question contain color-giving chromophores. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is no variety of quartz without chromophores among the options provided.