Comparison · Minerals vs Quartz Family
Erythrite vs Quartz
Erythrite and Quartz are easy to confuse. Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) than Erythrite (Mohs 1.5–2.5), so Quartz will scratch Erythrite and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Erythrite and Quartz
- Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) than Erythrite (Mohs 1.5–2.5), so Quartz will scratch Erythrite and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily.
- Streak color differs: Erythrite leaves a pale pink to pale red streak on unglazed porcelain, Quartz leaves white.
- They overlap in pink and purple, but Erythrite also comes in red and Quartz also comes in clear, yellow, black, gray, and brown.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Erythrite is Monoclinic, Quartz is Trigonal.
Erythrite vs Quartz properties
| Property | Erythrite | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Quartz Family |
| Mohs hardness | 1.5–2.5 | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage, silky | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces |
| Streak | Pale pink to pale red | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.06–3.18 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic | Trigonal |
| Common colors | Pink, Crimson red, Purple-red | 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 Erythrite, and premium Quartz can reach $250 or more.
About Erythrite
Erythrite is a hydrous cobalt arsenate, Co3(AsO4)2 8H2O, crystallizing in the monoclinic system with a vivid pink to crimson color that made it a prized prospecting clue. Long nicknamed cobalt bloom or cobalt flower, it forms as a secondary mineral where cobalt-bearing ores have been exposed to oxidizing, weathering conditions. Its bright coloring and soft, often earthy texture make it easy to spot even in small amounts.
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.
Erythrite vs Quartz FAQ
Is Erythrite the same as Quartz?
No. Erythrite is a mineral while Quartz is a quartz family. Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) than Erythrite (Mohs 1.5–2.5), so Quartz will scratch Erythrite and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily.
How can you tell Erythrite from Quartz?
Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) than Erythrite (Mohs 1.5–2.5), so Quartz will scratch Erythrite and not the other way round. A fingernail (Mohs 2.5) scratches it easily. Streak color differs: Erythrite leaves a pale pink to pale red streak on unglazed porcelain, Quartz leaves white. They overlap in pink and purple, but Erythrite also comes in red and Quartz also comes in clear, yellow, black, gray, and brown.
Which is harder, Erythrite or Quartz?
Quartz is harder: Mohs 7 against Mohs 1.5–2.5 for Erythrite.
Which is more valuable, Erythrite or Quartz?
Quartz is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $20 for Erythrite, and premium Quartz can reach $250 or more.
