AllMineralsRock
Quartz Vs. Topaz
Quartz is a very popular gemstone composed of silicon dioxide.[1] Topaz is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is aluminum silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Quartz and Topaz
For a quick recap of the differences quartz and topaz:- In terms of crystallography, quartz can be hexagonal or trigonal while topaz is orthorhombic.
- For chemical formulas, quartz is SiO2 while topaz can be Al2SiO4(F or OH)2.
- While both quartz and topaz can be vitreous, in terms of luster, quartz can be greasy or waxy.
- Quartz streaks white while topaz streaks colorless.
- While both quartz and topaz can be commonly red or yellow, topaz is often blue, brown or pink.
- Quartz's rarity is less rare than topaz.
- Quartz's hardness is lower than topaz - quartz is 7 and topaz is 8 on the Moh's scale.
- Quartz's specific gravity is lower than topaz - quartz ranges from 2.651 to 2.91 and topaz ranges from 3.5 to 3.51.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Quartz and Topaz
The similarities of quartz and topaz include:- Quartz and topaz both can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
Summary of Quartz
Quartz is a mineral that is composed of silicon and oxygen atoms arranged in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon-oxygen tetrahedra. It is one of the most abundant minerals found in the Earth's crust. Quartz can be found in a variety of colors such as white, pink, purple, brown, gray, and black. It is also known for its unique crystal structure, which is hexagonal in shape, and its hardness, which is 7 on the Mohs scale.Summary of Topaz
Topaz is a mineral that belongs to the silicate family. It is a popular gemstone, renowned for its beautiful colors and excellent clarity. Topaz is commonly found in many locations around the world, including Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the United States. It is a hard mineral, with a Mohs hardness scale rating of 8. This makes it an ideal gemstone for use in jewelry, as it is resistant to scratches and wear and tear.Table Comparison of Quartz vs Topaz
| Quartz (src) | Topaz (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | SiO2 | Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 |
| Chemical Composition | silicon dioxide | aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 2.651, 2.91 | 3.5, 3.51, 3.53, 3.54, 3.56, 3.56, 3.57, 3.57 |
| Hardness | 7 | 8 |
| Streak | white | colorless |
| Crystallography | hexagonal, trigonal | orthorhombic |
| Refractive Index | 1.544, 1.553 | 1.607, 1.649 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: red, yellow sometimes: blue, gray, pink, black, brown, green, white, orange, purple, violet, colorless, multicolor |
common: pink, red, blue, brown, yellow sometimes: green less common: tan, gray, pale, beige, white, orange, purple, colorless, multicolor |
| Category | silicate | nesosilicate |
| Birefringence | δ = +0.009 (B-G interval) | δ = 0.010 |
| Fracture | conchoidal, uneven | conchoidal, subconchoidal |