Comparison · Quartz Family vs Silicate Minerals
Quartz vs Schorl
Quartz and Schorl 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 Schorl
- Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Quartz leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Schorl leaves white to grayish.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Quartz is Transparent to translucent, Schorl is opaque.
- They overlap in black and brown, but Quartz also comes in clear, purple, yellow, pink, and gray.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Quartz is Trigonal, Schorl is trigonal.
Quartz vs Schorl properties
| Property | Quartz | Schorl |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Quartz Family | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 7 |
| Luster | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White to grayish |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 | 3.1 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | trigonal |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) | Black, Bluish black, Brownish black |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$250+ | $5–$400+ |
Which is more valuable?
Schorl is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $50 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Schorl can reach $400 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 Schorl
Schorl is the common black, iron-rich member of the tourmaline group. It forms striated prismatic crystals with a rounded triangular cross-section and is by far the most abundant tourmaline species in nature.
Quartz vs Schorl FAQ
Is Quartz the same as Schorl?
No. Quartz is a quartz family while Schorl 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 Quartz from Schorl?
Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Quartz leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Schorl leaves white to grayish. Hold a thin edge to the light: Quartz is Transparent to translucent, Schorl is opaque.
Which is harder, Quartz or Schorl?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Quartz or Schorl?
Schorl is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $50 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Schorl can reach $400 or more.
