Diamond vs Quartz

Property Diamond Quartz
Fórmula C SiO2
Sistema Cristalino Cubic (Isometric) Trigonal
Clase Mineral 01 Native Elements 09 Silicates
Dureza Mohs 10.0 7.0
Color Colorless, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink Colorless, white, purple, pink, brown, black
Brillo Adamantine Vitreous
Raya None White
Transparencia Transparent Transparent
Exfoliación Perfect octahedral {111} None
Fractura Conchoidal Conchoidal

Key Differences

  • Diamond (hardness 10) is the hardest known mineral; quartz rates 7 on the Mohs scale.
  • Diamond is pure carbon (C); quartz is silicon dioxide (SiO2).
  • Diamond has an adamantine luster; quartz has a vitreous (glassy) luster.
  • Diamond has perfect octahedral cleavage; quartz has no cleavage and fractures conchoidally.
  • Diamond is far rarer and more expensive; quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's crust.

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