Diamond vs Quartz

Property Diamond Quartz
化学式 C SiO2
晶系 Cubic (Isometric) Trigonal
矿物分类 01 Native Elements 09 Silicates
莫氏硬度 10.0 7.0
颜色 Colorless, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink Colorless, white, purple, pink, brown, black
光泽 Adamantine Vitreous
条痕色 None White
透明度 Transparent Transparent
解理 Perfect octahedral {111} None
断口 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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