I am having a hard time trying to tell the difference between topaz and quartz since I'm new to all this. Any advice would be helpful and much appreciated
Thanks!
Full Version: Please help me identify!!! Quartz?
Colorado Prospector - Gem and mineral prospecting and mining forums > Prospecting, Mineral Collecting and Treasure Hunting Forums > Prospectors and Rockhounding Field Work
HI I was just trying to figure out if the pieces I have recently found were just quartz or something else.
I am having a hard time trying to tell the difference between topaz and quartz since I'm new to all this. Any advice would be helpful and much appreciated
Thanks!
I am having a hard time trying to tell the difference between topaz and quartz since I'm new to all this. Any advice would be helpful and much appreciated
Thanks!
Hard to tell from pics but cleavage and weight would give it away. Also the scratch test might work. Quartz is lighter and softer. If they are either quartz or topaz that is. 
I would guess that all of those samples are Quartz.
Pic #5 is the only one that looks to me like it could be topaz.
A home "specific gravity" test should be able to determine yes or no.
Quartz = about (2.65) - times heavier than water.
Topaz = about (3.5) - times heavier than water.
The Gravity Test at home is explained in another topic/thread.
Pic #5 is the only one that looks to me like it could be topaz.
A home "specific gravity" test should be able to determine yes or no.
Quartz = about (2.65) - times heavier than water.
Topaz = about (3.5) - times heavier than water.
The Gravity Test at home is explained in another topic/thread.
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