After the experiment, the quartz samples were examined under a microscope to see if any gold had been deposited. "The results were stunning," said study co-author Professor Andy Tomkins, from the ...

When earthquakes squeeze quartz crystals, the mineral generates electricity that attracts gold particles. Pierre Longnus via Getty Images Earthquakes may help prospectors strike gold: When these ...

By measuring the thickness of the so-called hydration layer of quartz-containing artifacts and other materials, researchers can determine their age with a high degree ...