Comparison · Quartz Family
Jasper vs Quartz
Jasper and Quartz are easy to confuse because both are quartz family. 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 Jasper and Quartz
- Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Jasper is opaque, Quartz is Transparent to translucent.
- They overlap in yellow and brown, but Jasper also comes in red, green, and multicolored and Quartz also comes in clear, purple, pink, black, and gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Jasper is hexagonal, Quartz is Trigonal.
Jasper vs Quartz properties
| Property | Jasper | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Quartz Family | Quartz Family |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 7 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | opaque | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.6 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | hexagonal | Trigonal |
| Common colors | Red, Yellow, Brown, Green, Multi-colored | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$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 Jasper, and premium Quartz can reach $250 or more.
About Jasper
Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony found in a wide array of colors and patterns. Each variety has unique characteristics based on its formation.
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.
Jasper vs Quartz FAQ
Is Jasper the same as Quartz?
No. Both are quartz family, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. 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 Jasper from Quartz?
Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Hold a thin edge to the light: Jasper is opaque, Quartz is Transparent to translucent. They overlap in yellow and brown, but Jasper also comes in red, green, and multicolored and Quartz also comes in clear, purple, pink, black, and gray.
Which is harder, Jasper or Quartz?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Jasper or Quartz?
Quartz is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $20 for Jasper, and premium Quartz can reach $250 or more.
