Comparison · Quartz Family vs Silicate Minerals
Milky Quartz vs Prasiolite
Milky Quartz and Prasiolite 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 Milky Quartz and Prasiolite
- 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: Milky Quartz is Translucent to nearly opaque, Prasiolite is transparent.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Milky Quartz is Trigonal, Prasiolite is trigonal.
Milky Quartz vs Prasiolite properties
| Property | Milky Quartz | Prasiolite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Quartz Family | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous, greasy | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Translucent to nearly opaque | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | trigonal |
| Common colors | Milky white, White | Green, Pale green, Yellowish green |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$250+ | $10–$300+ |
Which is more valuable?
Prasiolite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $60 against $35 for Milky Quartz, and premium Prasiolite can reach $300 or more.
About Milky Quartz
Milky quartz is the cloudy white to grayish-white variety of quartz, SiO2, its characteristic opacity caused by countless microscopic fluid inclusions and tiny gas bubbles trapped during crystal growth. It is the most common form of macrocrystalline quartz found in veins worldwide, forming wherever silica-saturated hydrothermal fluids cool and crystallize within fractures in host rock. Unlike clear rock crystal quartz, milky quartz's cloudiness comes specifically from these internal inclusions rather than from any difference in chemical composition.
About Prasiolite
Prasiolite is a pale leek-green variety of quartz, transparent and glassy with the same hardness and durability as other quartz. Most prasiolite on the market is heat-treated amethyst, since naturally green quartz is uncommon.
Milky Quartz vs Prasiolite FAQ
Is Milky Quartz the same as Prasiolite?
No. Milky Quartz is a quartz family while Prasiolite is a silicate mineral. 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 Milky Quartz from Prasiolite?
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: Milky Quartz is Translucent to nearly opaque, Prasiolite is transparent. Well-formed crystals give it away: Milky Quartz is Trigonal, Prasiolite is trigonal.
Which is harder, Milky Quartz or Prasiolite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Milky Quartz or Prasiolite?
Prasiolite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $60 against $35 for Milky Quartz, and premium Prasiolite can reach $300 or more.
