Comparison · Tektites vs Quartz Family
Moldavite vs Quartz
Moldavite and Quartz are easy to confuse. Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) than Moldavite (Mohs 5.5), so Quartz will scratch Moldavite and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Moldavite and Quartz
- Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) than Moldavite (Mohs 5.5), so Quartz will scratch Moldavite and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Moldavite is translucent, Quartz is Transparent to translucent.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Moldavite is amorphous, Quartz is Trigonal.
Moldavite vs Quartz properties
| Property | Moldavite | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Tektites | Quartz Family |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5 | 7 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.4 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | amorphous | Trigonal |
| Common colors | Forest Green, Olive Green | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) |
| Rarity | rare | common |
| Typical specimen value | $50–$2000+ | $5–$250+ |
Which is more valuable?
Moldavite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $200 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Moldavite can reach $2000 or more.
About Moldavite
Moldavite is a green tektite formed by a meteorite impact about 15 million years ago. Found only in the Czech Republic, it's prized by collectors and crystal enthusiasts.
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.
Moldavite vs Quartz FAQ
Is Moldavite the same as Quartz?
No. Moldavite is a tektite while Quartz is a quartz family. Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) than Moldavite (Mohs 5.5), so Quartz will scratch Moldavite and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
How can you tell Moldavite from Quartz?
Quartz is harder (Mohs 7) than Moldavite (Mohs 5.5), so Quartz will scratch Moldavite and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Hold a thin edge to the light: Moldavite is translucent, Quartz is Transparent to translucent. Well-formed crystals give it away: Moldavite is amorphous, Quartz is Trigonal.
Which is harder, Moldavite or Quartz?
Quartz is harder: Mohs 7 against Mohs 5.5 for Moldavite.
Which is more valuable, Moldavite or Quartz?
Moldavite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $200 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Moldavite can reach $2000 or more.
