Comparison · Precious Stones vs Quartz Family
Emerald vs Quartz
Emerald and Quartz are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 7.5, 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 Emerald and Quartz
- Both sit near Mohs 7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Emerald is transparent, Quartz is Transparent to translucent.
- They overlap in yellow, but Emerald also comes in green and Quartz also comes in clear, purple, pink, black, gray, and brown.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Emerald is hexagonal, Quartz is Trigonal.
Emerald vs Quartz properties
| Property | Emerald | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Precious Stones | Quartz Family |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5 | 7 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | hexagonal | Trigonal |
| Common colors | Green, Bluish Green, Yellowish Green | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) |
| Rarity | legendary | common |
| Typical specimen value | $500–$50000+ | $5–$250+ |
Which is more valuable?
Emerald is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $3000 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Emerald can reach $50000 or more.
About Emerald
Emerald is a green variety of beryl, colored by trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. It's one of the four precious gemstones.
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.
Emerald vs Quartz FAQ
Is Emerald the same as Quartz?
No. Emerald is a precious stone while Quartz is a quartz family. Both sit near Mohs 7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Emerald from Quartz?
Both sit near Mohs 7.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Hold a thin edge to the light: Emerald is transparent, Quartz is Transparent to translucent. They overlap in yellow, but Emerald also comes in green and Quartz also comes in clear, purple, pink, black, gray, and brown.
Which is harder, Emerald or Quartz?
Emerald is harder: Mohs 7.5 against Mohs 7 for Quartz.
Which is more valuable, Emerald or Quartz?
Emerald is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $3000 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Emerald can reach $50000 or more.
