Quartz is a crystal with a hexagonal crystal structure.
All quartz crystals are not transparent as some metal impurities can change color and opacity.
Amethyst is a purple crystal with a crystal structure similar to Quartz crystals.
You can compare Quartz vs. Amethyst to find differences and care methods for these crystals.
Quartz vs. Amethyst
There are several differences between the quartz crystal and the Amethyst crystals.
You can identify Amethyst and Quartz by learning their source and differences.
It is also crucial to know why people confuse these crystals as it can hint at the identification process.
You should care for the Quartz and Amethyst differently due to differences in the chemical composition.
What Is Quartz?
Quartz is a rock formed by cooling the molten lava as silicon and oxygen atoms form a repeating chain structure in the Quartz.
One silicon atom attaches to the two atoms of oxygen.
Oxygen atoms also attach to the silicon on the other side to make a chain structure.
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral on the earth’s surface.
Alpha and beta are two types of quartz with different crystal structures and ways of formation.
Quartz will form small crystals when magma cools down rapidly.
If it takes time to cool down, it will form large crystals.
Quartz can have different names when it has different colors due to metal impurities.
It is easy to use quartz in jewelry because of its high hardness score.
What Is Amethyst?
Amethyst form from the quartz crystals. It is different from the pure quartz crystals due to iron impurities and irradiation.
Amethyst form when iron enters the quartz crystals during the formation process.
It undergoes radiation exposure to change the atomic structure of iron to give it a purple color.
You can use the Amethyst in the jewelry because it has a hardness score of 7 on the Moh hardness scale.
Most Amethyst crystals have a deep purple color near the ends of the crystals.
Some sellers enhance the Amethyst color with the process of irradiation, as deep purple Amethysts are rare and expensive.
What Are the Differences and Similarities between Quartz vs. Amethyst?
The most notable similarity between Quartz vs. Amethyst is the presence of quartz crystals. Quartz and Amethyst have similar physical properties because SiO2 is the major part of these crystals. If there are some metal impurities in the Quartz that give it a purple color, we call it Amethyst.
There is no difference between Quartz vs. Amethyst in terms of physical properties.
They are different due to the iron impurities and purple color.
Quartz crystals can have many names when they have different colors.
Why Do People Confuse so Often Quartz and Amethyst?
It is easy to understand why Quartz and Amethyst are often confused. All the Amethyst crystals are made from Quartz crystals.
All the quartz crystals are not purple as they can have different names and colors.
Aventurine, Agates, and Rose Quartz are the most notable examples of the different forms of Quartz crystals.
The purest form of quartz does not have any color because it is transparent.
People confuse them because they think Quartz with the impurities and without impurities are the same crystals.
Impurities give Quartz different colors.
How Can You Identify Amethyst?
You can identify the Amethyst with two features. It has a purple color due to iron impurities. The color can range from light purple to deep purple shades. It can also have a red shade due to different forms of iron impurities.
Color zoning is a special feature of the Amethyst crystals.
Amethyst is dark on the sides and light in the middle.
You may find some Amethyst crystals with a white center point.
Amethyst is a translucent crystal as you cannot see through all types of Amethyst crystals.
Amethyst has some imperfections due to the natural formation process.
There are no bubbles in the Amethyst.
You cannot scratch the Amethyst with a knife due to the high hardness score.
How Can You Identify Quartz?
It is easy to identify Quartz when you know the physical features of Quartz crystals. You may find Quartz in the form of white to transparent crystals.
People also call them rock crystals.
You can look for these features in the Quartz for easy identification.
- A lustrous look with high light reflection.
- A hardness score of 7 on the Moh hardness scale.
- It forms flat-faced fragments when it falls.
- It has high transparency, or it can be milky white.
- It has six sides on the crystals.
Where Can You Find Amethyst?
You can find Amethyst worldwide because many Amethyst sources exist in different countries.
Brazil produces most of the high-quality Amethyst crystals.
There are some high-quality Amethyst sources in Arizona, USA.
Most of the US Amethyst comes from Thunder Bay, Ontario.
You can also take a tour to see the large geodes of the Amethyst in Thunder Bay.
There are some small sources in South Carolina and Nova Scotia.
You can find Amethyst in the form of geodes as there are many Amethyst crystals inside each large geode.
Where Can You Find Quartz?
Amethyst is a Quartz crystal with purple color.
It means that all the sources of Amethyst are the source of Quartz.
You can also find Quartz in other colors in different parts of the world.
It is easy to find clear quartz due to its abundance on the earth’s surface.
Rose Quartz is abundant in Brazil.
You can find other types of Quartz in Russia, the United States, and Madagascar.
To Summarize: Quartz vs. Amethyst
We have compiled some points to help you identify the Quartz and Amethyst.
These points will also help you find the perfect Quartz and Amethyst crystals.
- Amethyst and Quartz have the same crystal structure.
- They have the same physical properties also.
- You can find Quartz in all countries.
- High-quality Amethyst comes from Brazil.
- It is easy to identify the Amethyst with the purple color and zoning.
- Quartz can have different colors. Amethyst is the purple type of Quartz.