Diamond vs Quartz

Property Diamond Quartz
Формула C SiO2
Кристаллическая система Cubic (Isometric) Trigonal
Класс минерала 01 Native Elements 09 Silicates
Твёрдость по Моосу 10.0 7.0
Цвет Colorless, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink Colorless, white, purple, pink, brown, black
Блеск Adamantine Vitreous
Черта None White
Прозрачность Transparent Transparent
Спайность Perfect octahedral {111} None
Излом 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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