Quartz as Flint Substitute

[Nhgrants]

Was quartz used as a flint substitute when flint or chert was not available?

[rich pierce]

I don’t think quartz can be readily knapped into desired shapes like flint and chert can. It would probably work in an emergency.

Agate and jasper work. Obsidian does not.

[bob in the woods]

I have used quartz, found on my property, and it will work. The stuff here has rather large crystals, some pieces being better than others. Better used with your fire steel than your flintlock. You can't really knap it, and it can be brittle.
Emergency stuff only.

[Nhgrants]

I sounds likely native Americans would have used some in trade guns when needed.