An experimental technique is described which is being successfully used to study the transient high stress piezoelectric behavior of synthetic alpha‐quartz. Short, flat‐faced cylinders of quartz are impacted upon each other at high velocity to produce the desired transient stress in the range from 5–70 kilobar. Precision is maintained in the alignment of the flat impact surfaces so that the Hugoniot conservation of momentum and the relationship governing the impact of flat cylinders may be used to compute the stress imparted to the target cylinders of quartz. Electric charge release data are taken in conjunction with the initial passage of the stress wave produced by impact.