To analyse the electrical response of a quartz crystal resonator, it is very often useful to depict it as the equivalent electrical components that would be needed to replace it. This equivalent circuit is can then be used to analyse its response and predict its performance. The basic equivalent circuit of a crystal is shown below. In this circuit C1 represents the capacitance between the electrodes. L, C, and R represent the vibrational characteristics of the crystal. The inductance results from the mass of the material, C from the compliance, and R arises from the losses of which the greatest contributor is frictional losses.

Looking at this circuit it can be seen that there are two ways in which the circuit can resonate. One is from the resonance of L and C which provides a series resonance, giving a very low value of impedance at resonance. This is determined by the value of the resistance R. In this mode the external circuit has very little effect on the crystal resonance.