Comparison · Quartz Family vs Silicate Minerals
Quartz vs Spodumene
Quartz and Spodumene 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 Spodumene
- Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Spodumene feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.15 versus 2.65 for Quartz).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Quartz is Transparent to translucent, Spodumene is transparent.
- They overlap in clear, purple, yellow, and pink, but Quartz also comes in black, gray, and brown and Spodumene also comes in green.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Quartz is Trigonal, Spodumene is monoclinic.
Quartz vs Spodumene properties
| Property | Quartz | Spodumene |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Quartz Family | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 6.75 |
| Luster | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 | 3.15 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | monoclinic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) | Pink, Lilac, Green, Yellow, Colorless |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$250+ | $10–$800+ |
Which is more valuable?
Spodumene is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $110 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Spodumene can reach $800 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 Spodumene
Spodumene is a lithium aluminum pyroxene found in granite pegmatites. It forms flattened prismatic crystals with perfect prismatic cleavage, and its transparent gem varieties include pink-lilac kunzite and green hiddenite.
Quartz vs Spodumene FAQ
Is Quartz the same as Spodumene?
No. Quartz is a quartz family while Spodumene 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 Spodumene?
Both sit near Mohs 7, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Spodumene feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.15 versus 2.65 for Quartz). Hold a thin edge to the light: Quartz is Transparent to translucent, Spodumene is transparent.
Which is harder, Quartz or Spodumene?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 7.
Which is more valuable, Quartz or Spodumene?
Spodumene is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $110 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Spodumene can reach $800 or more.
