Comparison · Minerals vs Quartz Family
Chrysoberyl vs Quartz
Chrysoberyl and Quartz are easy to confuse. Chrysoberyl is harder (Mohs 8.5) than Quartz (Mohs 7), so Chrysoberyl will scratch Quartz and not the other way round. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Chrysoberyl and Quartz
- Chrysoberyl is harder (Mohs 8.5) than Quartz (Mohs 7), so Chrysoberyl will scratch Quartz and not the other way round. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file.
- Chrysoberyl feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.65–3.8 versus 2.65 for Quartz).
- They overlap in yellow, brown, and clear, but Chrysoberyl also comes in green and red and Quartz also comes in purple, pink, black, and gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Chrysoberyl is Orthorhombic, Quartz is Trigonal.
Chrysoberyl vs Quartz properties
| Property | Chrysoberyl | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Quartz Family |
| Mohs hardness | 8.5 | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.65–3.8 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic | Trigonal |
| Common colors | Yellow, Greenish-yellow, Green, Brown, Colorless, Color-change green/red (alexandrite) | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $5–$250+ |
Which is more valuable?
Quartz is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $20 for Chrysoberyl, and premium Quartz can reach $250 or more.
About Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl is beryllium aluminum oxide, BeAl2O4, an orthorhombic mineral notable for exceptional hardness ranking just below corundum and diamond among natural gem minerals. Despite the beryl in its name, chrysoberyl is chemically unrelated to true beryl, which is a beryllium aluminum silicate rather than an oxide. Its most famous varieties, alexandrite and cat's eye chrysoberyl, are prized gemstones known respectively for dramatic color change and a sharp band of reflected light.
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.
Chrysoberyl vs Quartz FAQ
Is Chrysoberyl the same as Quartz?
No. Chrysoberyl is a mineral while Quartz is a quartz family. Chrysoberyl is harder (Mohs 8.5) than Quartz (Mohs 7), so Chrysoberyl will scratch Quartz and not the other way round. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file.
How can you tell Chrysoberyl from Quartz?
Chrysoberyl is harder (Mohs 8.5) than Quartz (Mohs 7), so Chrysoberyl will scratch Quartz and not the other way round. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file. Chrysoberyl feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.65–3.8 versus 2.65 for Quartz). They overlap in yellow, brown, and clear, but Chrysoberyl also comes in green and red and Quartz also comes in purple, pink, black, and gray.
Which is harder, Chrysoberyl or Quartz?
Chrysoberyl is harder: Mohs 8.5 against Mohs 7 for Quartz.
Which is more valuable, Chrysoberyl or Quartz?
Quartz is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $20 for Chrysoberyl, and premium Quartz can reach $250 or more.
