3 differences of quartz and calcite

3 differences of quartz and calcite

Quartz vs Calcite

Quartz and calcite have many things in common but they also have many differences between them.

While Calcite is calcium carbonate, Quartz is silicon dioxide. Quartz is also a combination of oxygen and silicon.

First of all, let’s see the difference in their colours. Calcite is colourless, white and with light shades of orange, yellow, blue, red, pink, brown, black, green and gray. On the other hand, quartz comes in white, cloudy, purple, pink, gray, brown and black.

While calcite has a luster that is vitreous to resinous to dull, quartz has a glassy to vitreous luster.

Both calcite and quartz are transparent and translucent. However, cryptocrystalline is translucent to opaque.

Calcite comes in rhombohedron, scalenohedron, hexagonal and pinacoid forms. Most of the calcite minerals are trigonal and pseudo-hexagonal. Quartz is a hexagonal prism and the massive form includes globular, botryoidal and stalactitic.

While the cleavage is perfect in three directions in the case of Calcite, the cleavage in quartz is weak in the three directions.

In hardness , there are differences between the two. Quartz has a hardness of 7 on Moh’s scale whereas Calcite Marble comes with a hardness of 3 on the scale. In refractive indices, Calcite has a refractive index of 1.49 and 1.66. On the contrary, Quartz has a refractive index of 1.55.

Calcite gets its name from the Greek “chalix”. The origin of quartz is uncertain. However, it is said that Quartz was derived from the German ‘quar’.

Summary

1. While Calcite is calcium carbonate, Quartz is silicon dioxide.

2. While calcite has a luster that is vitreous to resinous to dull, quartz has a glassy to vitreous luster.

3. Both calcite and quartz are transparent and translucent. However, cryptocrystalline is translucent to opaque.

4. Quartz has a hardness of 7 on Moh’s scale whereas Calcite Marble comes with a hardness of 3 on the scale.

5. Calcite has a refractive index of 1.49 and 1.66. On the contrary, Quartz has a refractive index of 1.55.

6. While the cleavage is perfect in three directions in the case of Calcite, the cleavage in quartz is weak in the three directions.

7. While calcite has a luster that is vitreous to resinous to dull, quartz has a glassy to vitreous luster.

8. Calcite comes in colourless, white and with light shades of orange, yellow, blue, red, pink, brown, black, green and gray. On the other hand, quartz comes in white, cloudy, purple, pink, gray, brown and black.

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3 differences of quartz and calcite
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APA 7
S, P. (2010, June 16). Difference Between Quartz and Calcite. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/object/difference-between-quartz-and-calcite/.
MLA 8
S, Prabhat. "Difference Between Quartz and Calcite." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 16 June, 2010, http://www.differencebetween.net/object/difference-between-quartz-and-calcite/.

Minerals refer to the elements or chemical compounds which are formed due to various geological processes. These minerals are predominantly crystalline. All the minerals have different chemical compositions and properties.

They also have different physical properties. They are used for different purposes. Quartz and Calcite are two such minerals.

The main difference between Quartz and Calcite is that quartz is much stronger than calcite. The two minerals look very similar. There are also a couple more differences between the two minerals. The major differences can be found in terms of their hardness, shape, luster, cleavage, and appearance.

3 differences of quartz and calcite

Quartz is a mineral composed of silica or silicon dioxide. The term has its origin in the German word ‘Quartz. It is a really hard mineral that is commonly found in a hexagonal shape. It is available in different forms.

This crystal also comes in a wide variety of colors.

Calcite is a mineral that is a carbonate mineral with a rhombic cleavage. The term has its origin in the German word ‘Calcit’. It is a moderately hard mineral that is also available in different forms. This crystal’s appearance is white or opaque.

The color can change if it is charged with impurities.

Comparison Table Between Quartz and Calcite

Parameters of Comparison Quartz  Calcite 
Hardness In comparison, quartz is approximately four times harder.  In comparison, calcite is approximately four times less hard. 
Shape They are commonly found in the shape of a hexagonal prism. They are commonly found in the shape of a rhombohedron.
Luster Their appearance is mostly glassy or it can also have a vitreous luster. It can have a luster that is vitreous or resinous or dull.
Cleavage It is not equipped with strong cleavage. It has a rhombic cleavage.
Chemical Composition In terms of chemical composition, it is a silicon dioxide crystal. In terms of chemical composition, it is a calcium carbonate mineral. 

What is Quartz?

This term has originated from the German word ‘Quarz.’ It is a part of the trigonal crystal system. It is extracted from open cast mines. Quartz refers to a mineral that is hard and crystalline.

This mineral is composed of silica or silicon dioxide. The overall chemical formula given is SiO2. The second most copious mineral found is Quartz. Its existence comes in two different forms, they are as follows-

  • The Normal quartz or the Alpha (α)- quartz
  • The High- temperature quartz or the Beta (β)- quartz

Both the quartz are chiral. The Normal quartz or Alpha (α)- quartz can be transformed to High- temperature or Beta (β)- quartz at 573 °C. This transformation comes along with a major change in volume.

This change can lead to ceramic, or rock fracture passed through the temperature threshold.

The quartz comes in many varieties. Most of them are also semi-precious stones. They are one of the most commonly used stones for jewelry making and carvings.

Clear quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Rose quartz, Smoky quartz are some of the popular quartz available. It is also believed that these are healing stones. They are used by several people for obtaining calmness, love, peace, and other things.

What is Calcite?

Calcite refers to a carbonate mineral. This mineral is also the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate. Aragonite and vaterite are the other polymorphs of calcium carbonate. Aragonite has the ability to transform into calcite.

This can take place over days or even quicker with temperatures above 300 °C. The term calcite has originated from the German word ‘Calcit.’ It is also related etymologically to chalk.

This mineral comes in various forms. There are more than 800 identified forms of Calcite. Out of these formsScalenohedra and rhombohedral are the most common ones.

In terms of hardness, it has a defining value of 3 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness. In terms of appearance, it is opaque or has a white color. However, if the mineral is charged with certain impurities, it can change its color.

The changed color is not defined; it may change into any shade, including black.

An optical property termed birefringence is displayed by a calcite crystal. This property is also known as double refraction. Due to which the objects that are seen through the crystal seem to have doubled.

As it is a carbonate mineral, it can dissolve in acids. This crystal too is used for many purposes, including jewelry making and carvings. This mineral too is believed to have healing properties.

Main Differences Between Quartz and Calcite

  1. In comparison, quartz is approximately four times harder. In comparison, calcite is approximately four times less hard.
  2. Quartz is commonly found in the shape of a hexagonal prism. Calcite is commonly found in the shape of a rhombohedron.
  3. The appearance of quartz is mostly glassy, or it can also have a vitreous luster. Calcite can have a luster that is vitreous or resinous, or dull.
  4. Quartz is not equipped with strong cleavage. Calcite has a rhombic cleavage.
  5. Quartz, in terms of chemical composition, is a silicon dioxide crystal. Calcite, in terms of chemical composition, is a calcium carbonate mineral.
3 differences of quartz and calcite

Conclusion

Quartz and Calcite are two of the most commonly found minerals. One is silicon dioxide whereas, the other is a carbonate mineral.

In comparison, the quartz is harder than the calcite. Both the minerals are found in many different forms. The appearance of both the minerals is also quite different.

Quartz is available in different colors like blue, yellow, purple, and so on. Whereas the calcite is always white or opaque. However, if it is charged with any impurities, the color of the calcite mineral can change.

The color can be of any shade. These minerals are widely used around the globe for different purposes.

References

  1. https://www.osapublishing.org/abstract.cfm?uri=josa-49-7-710
  2. https://www.ajsonline.org/content/263/9/747.short

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What is the difference between calcite and quartz?

Calcite is a calcium carbonate mineral while quartz is a silicon dioxide crystal. Visually, you cannot tell the difference in the mineral composition, but you can perform a test to determine if the crystal you have is calcite. Calcium carbonate reacts with an acid to produce bubbles on the surface of the crystal.

What are 3 properties of the mineral calcite?

The diagnostic properties of calcite include a defining Mohs hardness of 3, a specific gravity of 2.71 and, in crystalline varieties, a vitreous luster. Color is white or none, though shades of gray, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, or even black can occur when the mineral is charged with impurities.

What are 3 physical properties of quartz?

Quartz Physical Properties.

What does calcite on quartz look like?

Crystalline calcium carbonate, or Calcite, is a common inclusions in quartz. While it frequently appears as aggregate white, yellow or brown masses, well-formed cubic single crystals or aggregates are an attractive and far less common occurance.