Comparison · Quartz Family vs Semi-Precious Stones
Quartz vs Topaz
Quartz and Topaz are easy to confuse. Topaz is harder (Mohs 8) than Quartz (Mohs 7), so Topaz will scratch Quartz and not the other way round. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Quartz and Topaz
- Topaz is harder (Mohs 8) than Quartz (Mohs 7), so Topaz will scratch Quartz and not the other way round. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file.
- Topaz feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.5 versus 2.65 for Quartz).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Quartz is Transparent to translucent, Topaz is transparent.
- They overlap in clear, yellow, and pink, but Quartz also comes in purple, black, gray, and brown and Topaz also comes in blue and orange.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Quartz is Trigonal, Topaz is orthorhombic.
Quartz vs Topaz properties
| Property | Quartz | Topaz |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Quartz Family | Semi-Precious Stones |
| Mohs hardness | 7 | 8 |
| Luster | Vitreous, greasy on fracture surfaces | vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 | 3.5 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Purple (amethyst), Yellow (citrine), Pink (rose), Brown/black (smoky) | Colorless, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Pink |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $5–$250+ | $20–$3000+ |
Which is more valuable?
Topaz is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Topaz can reach $3000 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 Topaz
Topaz is an aluminum silicate mineral prized for its hardness and brilliant colors. Imperial topaz (orange-pink) from Brazil is most valuable.
Quartz vs Topaz FAQ
Is Quartz the same as Topaz?
No. Quartz is a quartz family while Topaz is a semi-precious stone. Topaz is harder (Mohs 8) than Quartz (Mohs 7), so Topaz will scratch Quartz and not the other way round. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file.
How can you tell Quartz from Topaz?
Topaz is harder (Mohs 8) than Quartz (Mohs 7), so Topaz will scratch Quartz and not the other way round. It scratches glass and a steel knife and cannot be scratched by a steel file. Topaz feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.5 versus 2.65 for Quartz). Hold a thin edge to the light: Quartz is Transparent to translucent, Topaz is transparent.
Which is harder, Quartz or Topaz?
Topaz is harder: Mohs 8 against Mohs 7 for Quartz.
Which is more valuable, Quartz or Topaz?
Topaz is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $100 against $35 for Quartz, and premium Topaz can reach $3000 or more.
