Comparison · Quartz Family vs Silicate Minerals
Quartz vs Sunstone
Quartz and Sunstone 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 Sunstone
- 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, Sunstone is transparent.
- They overlap in clear, yellow, and pink, but Quartz also comes in purple, black, gray, and brown and Sunstone also comes in orange and red.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Quartz is Trigonal, Sunstone is triclinic.
Quartz vs Sunstone properties
| Property | Quartz | Sunstone |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Quartz Family | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 6.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 | 2.65 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | triclinic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) | Orange, Red, Golden, Pink, Colorless |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$250+ | $10–$700+ |
Which is more valuable?
Sunstone is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Sunstone can reach $700 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 Sunstone
Sunstone is a gem feldspar known for aventurescence, a glittering metallic shimmer caused by tiny reflective platelets of copper, hematite, or goethite. It ranges from golden to orange and red and is cut as a gemstone.
Quartz vs Sunstone FAQ
Is Quartz the same as Sunstone?
No. Quartz is a quartz family while Sunstone 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 Sunstone?
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, Sunstone is transparent. They overlap in clear, yellow, and pink, but Quartz also comes in purple, black, gray, and brown and Sunstone also comes in orange and red.
Which is harder, Quartz or Sunstone?
Quartz is harder: Mohs 7 against Mohs 6.5 for Sunstone.
Which is more valuable, Quartz or Sunstone?
Sunstone is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Sunstone can reach $700 or more.
