Comparison · Quartz Family vs Metamorphic Rocks
Quartz vs Quartzite
Quartz and Quartzite 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 Quartz and Quartzite
- 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: Quartz is Transparent to translucent, Quartzite is Opaque.
- They overlap in yellow, pink, and gray, but Quartz also comes in clear, purple, black, and brown and Quartzite also comes in white and red.
Quartz vs Quartzite properties
| Property | Quartz | Quartzite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Quartz Family | Metamorphic Rocks |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces | Vitreous to sugary/granular |
| Streak | White | — |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 | 2.6–2.7 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | — |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) | White, Gray, Pink, Reddish, Yellow |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$250+ | $1–$75+ |
Which is more valuable?
Quartz is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $10 for Quartzite, and premium Quartz can reach $250 or more.
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.
About Quartzite
Quartzite is a hard metamorphic rock formed by the recrystallization of quartz sandstone under heat and pressure, fusing individual quartz grains into an interlocking mosaic so tightly bonded that fractures cut through the grains themselves rather than around them. This distinguishes true metamorphic quartzite from sedimentary orthoquartzite, a well-cemented sandstone that can look superficially similar. Its exceptional hardness and resistance to weathering make it a common ridge-forming rock in many mountain ranges.
Quartz vs Quartzite FAQ
Is Quartz the same as Quartzite?
No. Quartz is a quartz family while Quartzite is a metamorphic rock. 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 Quartz from Quartzite?
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: Quartz is Transparent to translucent, Quartzite is Opaque. They overlap in yellow, pink, and gray, but Quartz also comes in clear, purple, black, and brown and Quartzite also comes in white and red.
Which is harder, Quartz or Quartzite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Quartz or Quartzite?
Quartz is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $10 for Quartzite, and premium Quartz can reach $250 or more.
