Gold Vs. Quartz

Gold is a very popular mineral composed of gold.^[1] Quartz is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is silicon dioxide.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Gold and Quartz

For a quick recap of the differences gold and quartz:

• While both gold and quartz is opaque, quartz can be translucent or transparent.
• For chemical formulas, gold is Au while quartz is SiO2.
• In terms of luster, gold is metallic while quartz can be greasy, vitreous or waxy.
• Gold streaks golden, golden yellow or yellow while quartz streaks white.
• While both gold and quartz can be commonly yellow, quartz is often red.
• Gold's rarity is more rare than quartz.
• Gold's specific gravity is higher than quartz - gold ranges from 15.5 to 19.3 and quartz ranges from 2.651 to 2.91.

Summary of Gold

Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from Latin: aurum) and atomic number 79, making it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. It is a bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Gold is a precious metal that has been used for currency, jewelry, and decoration for thousands of years. It is also used in electronics, medicine, and as a conductor in space vehicles and satellites.

Summary of Quartz

Quartz is a mineral that is composed of silicon and oxygen atoms arranged in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon-oxygen tetrahedra. It is one of the most abundant minerals found in the Earth's crust. Quartz can be found in a variety of colors such as white, pink, purple, brown, gray, and black. It is also known for its unique crystal structure, which is hexagonal in shape, and its hardness, which is 7 on the Mohs scale.

Table Comparison of Gold vs Quartz