Comparison · Silicate Minerals vs Quartz Family
Prasiolite vs Quartz
Prasiolite and Quartz 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 Prasiolite 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: Prasiolite is transparent, Quartz is Transparent to translucent.
- They overlap in yellow, but Prasiolite also comes in green and Quartz also comes in clear, purple, pink, black, gray, and brown.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Prasiolite is trigonal, Quartz is Trigonal.
Prasiolite vs Quartz properties
| Property | Prasiolite | Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Silicate Minerals | Quartz Family |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 7 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | Trigonal |
| Common colors | Green, Pale green, Yellowish green | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) |
| Rarity | uncommon | common |
| Typical specimen value | $10–$300+ | $5–$250+ |
Which is more valuable?
Prasiolite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $60 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Prasiolite can reach $300 or more.
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.
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.
Prasiolite vs Quartz FAQ
Is Prasiolite the same as Quartz?
No. Prasiolite is a silicate mineral while Quartz is a quartz family. 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 Prasiolite 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: Prasiolite is transparent, Quartz is Transparent to translucent. They overlap in yellow, but Prasiolite also comes in green and Quartz also comes in clear, purple, pink, black, gray, and brown.
Which is harder, Prasiolite or Quartz?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Prasiolite or Quartz?
Prasiolite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $60 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Prasiolite can reach $300 or more.
