Calcite vs Quartz

Property Calcite Quartz
Công thức CaCO3 SiO2
Hệ tinh thể Trigonal Trigonal
Phân loại khoáng vật 05 Carbonates and Nitrates 09 Silicates
Độ cứng Mohs 3.0 7.0
Màu sắc Colorless, white, yellow, orange, blue, green Colorless, white, purple, pink, brown, black
Ánh Vitreous Vitreous
Màu vệt White White
Độ trong suốt Transparent Transparent
Cát khai Perfect rhombohedral {1011} None
Vết vỡ Conchoidal Conchoidal

Key Differences

  • Calcite (hardness 3) is much softer than quartz (hardness 7) and can be scratched by a copper coin.
  • Calcite effervesces vigorously in dilute HCl; quartz does not react.
  • Calcite has perfect rhombohedral cleavage; quartz has no cleavage and breaks conchoidally.
  • Calcite is calcium carbonate (CaCO3); quartz is silicon dioxide (SiO2).
  • Calcite displays double refraction (birefringence) in Iceland spar crystals; quartz does not.

Related Comparisons

← All Comparisons