Comparison · Gemstones vs Quartz Family
Ammolite vs Quartz
Ammolite and Quartz are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Ammolite and Quartz
- Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Ammolite leaves a white to light-colored streak on unglazed porcelain, Quartz leaves white.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Ammolite is translucent, Quartz is Transparent to translucent.
Ammolite vs Quartz properties
| Property | Ammolite | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Gemstones | Quartz Family |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 7 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces |
| Streak | White to light-colored | White |
| Transparency | translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | varies | Trigonal |
| Common colors | Various | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $10–$500+ | $5–$250+ |
Which is more valuable?
Ammolite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $75 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Ammolite can reach $500 or more.
About Ammolite
Ammolite is organic gemstone formed when it mixes with fossilized shell of extinct marine ammonite.
About Quartz
Quartz is silicon dioxide, SiO2, one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust, crystallizing in the trigonal division of the hexagonal crystal system with a hardness of 7 that makes it a standard reference point on the Mohs scale. Its six-sided prismatic crystals, often terminated by pyramidal points, are among the most recognizable crystal shapes in mineralogy. Quartz occurs in nearly every rock type and geologic setting, from granite pegmatites to sedimentary sandstones to hydrothermal veins.
Ammolite vs Quartz FAQ
Is Ammolite the same as Quartz?
No. Ammolite is a gemstone while Quartz is a quartz family. Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Ammolite from Quartz?
Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Ammolite leaves a white to light-colored streak on unglazed porcelain, Quartz leaves white. Hold a thin edge to the light: Ammolite is translucent, Quartz is Transparent to translucent.
Which is harder, Ammolite or Quartz?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Ammolite or Quartz?
Ammolite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $75 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Ammolite can reach $500 or more.
