StoneSnapDownload

Quartz Varieties: Every Type of Quartz

Quartz is the most common mineral on Earth's surface and comes in dozens of named varieties. Crystalline varieties such as amethyst, citrine, rose quartz and smoky quartz are colored by trace elements and radiation; microcrystalline varieties such as agate, jasper, chalcedony and onyx are made of fibers or grains too small to see.

All share a Mohs hardness of 7, a white streak, no cleavage and a glassy luster, which makes those tests the fastest way to confirm you are holding quartz at all.

Mohs hardness in this group runs from 7 to 7.

Also browse:Silicate MineralsSemi-Precious StonesPrecious StonesSulfide MineralsPhosphate MineralsNative Element MineralsCarbonate Minerals

All quartz varieties (16)

Amethyst specimen: purple and violet crystalAmethystMohs 7 · White streakRose Quartz specimen: pink and rose mineralRose QuartzMohs 7 · White streakClear Quartz specimen: colorless and white mineralClear QuartzMohs 7 · White streakTiger's Eye specimen: golden brown and yellow mineralTiger's EyeMohs 7 · White streakCitrine specimen: yellow and orange crystalCitrineMohs 7 · White streakAgate specimen: blue and brown mineralAgateMohs 7 · White streakJasper specimen: red and yellow mineralJasperMohs 7 · White streakCarnelian specimen: orange and red-orange mineralCarnelianMohs 7 · White streakSmoky Quartz specimen: brown and gray crystalSmoky QuartzMohs 7 · White streakFire Agate specimen: brown and orange mineralFire AgateMohs 7 · White streakBlue Lace Agate specimen: pale blue and white mineralBlue Lace AgateMohs 7 · White streakBloodstone specimen: dark green with red spots mineralBloodstoneMohs 7 · White streakDendritic Agate specimen: white and gray mineralDendritic AgateMohs 7 · White streakDalmatian Jasper specimen: cream and white mineralDalmatian JasperMohs 7 · White streakMilky Quartz specimen: milky white and white crystalMilky QuartzMohs 7 · White streakQuartz specimen: colorless and white crystalQuartzMohs 7 · White streak

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common quartz varieties?

The most searched quartz varieties in the StoneSnap database are Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Clear Quartz, Tiger's Eye, and Citrine.

How do you identify quartz varieties?

Start with luster and color, then bracket the Mohs hardness with a scratch test and check the streak on unglazed porcelain. Mohs hardness in this group runs from 7 to 7. Each entry below lists the diagnostic properties and its common look-alikes.

Not sure what you found?

Snap a photo with StoneSnap and get an instant match with properties, value estimates and look-alikes — free to try.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play