Mineral Factbook

Prasiolite

Varietyof Quartz

Prasiolite is the green variety of quartz. As a variety of Quartz, it shares that species' composition (SiO2), crystal structure, and hardness; the distinction is the appearance defined above.

Photos

Prasiolite specimen photo
Albarubescens · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Prasiolite specimen photo
Michelle Jo · CC BY 3.0 · Commons
Prasiolite specimen photo
Tiia Monto · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Prasiolite specimen photo
AgĂȘncia Senado from Brasilia, Brazil · CC BY 2.0 · Commons

About Quartz

Full reference data — crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and cited physical properties — is on the Quartz species page.

FormulaSiO2
Hardness (Mohs)7
Specific gravity2.6-2.64
Density (calculated)2.65
Crystal systemtrigonal
Color rangeblack, blue, brown, colorless, green, red, yellow
Lusterdull, greasy, vitreous
Streakwhite