The name is derived from the German "quarz" of uncertain origin. It was called "krystallos" by the Greeks, but this later became the generic term for crystal.
Additional Information
These cabs were sold under the name of rutilated amethyst. They are more likely amethyst with lepidocrosite crystals. (lepidocrosite is a form of iron hydroxy-oxide.) The needles can be red to yellow-orange in color.
Since the quartz shows traces of amethyst (purple areas) it fits well with the chemistry.
