Apophyllite vs Clear Quartz (Simple Comparison)

Apophyllite and clear quartz are both wonderful crystals to look at, each with unique attributes and applications.  In some cases, they can even look similar from afar.

Whenever you work with crystals, it’s important to understand their properties, as each type can vary, of course.

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In today’s guide, let’s talk about the many differences between apophyllite and clear quartz.

What are the differences between apophyllite and clear quartz?

Colors

Clear quartz, as the name implies, is always clear, which, of course, means it’s transparent or white.  It will have a glass-like shine.

Apophyllite can be colorless, similar to that of clear quartz, however, it can come in other color shades, such as pink, green, yellow, and many others.

While they can both exhibit the same colors, you will find that apophyllite will be more likely to showcase a softer green hue when examined closely.

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Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of the two is quite distinct from one another.

Apophyllite belongs to what’s known as a phyllosilicate group of minerals and this mineral will form naturally as a secondary mineral during volcanic formations.  Put simply, it means that apophyllite will result as the temperatures changing.

Clear quartz is a member of the quartz family and will have a silicate chemical composition.  It’s a result of magma cooling when the silicon dioxide crystallizes to form the quartz you see today.

Chemically, apophyllite is a much more complex mix of elements, including potassium, calcium, and fluorine, whereas clear quartz only contains silicon and oxygen.

Formation and Location

Apophyllite will commonly form in volcanic rocks and cavities, where it will develop distinctive crystal structures and colors.  It can be found in all parts of the world, however, some of the most significant deposits will be found in India, such as the Deccan Plateau, the United States, Canada and Brazil.

Clear quartz, however, can grow in a variety of environments, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.  Clear quartz can be found all throughout the world too, as quartz is one of the most abundant materials on Earth.  You will often find that clear quartz comes from Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, Russia and China, to name a few.

Hardness

Apophyllite scores a 4.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, whereas clear quartz is a 7.

If you’re unfamiliar with the scale, this simply defines how scratch resistant the crystal is.  The higher the number, the less likely it is to scratch.  So, a 1 would be very brittle, whereas a 10, such as a diamond, will be extremely tough.

Because clear quartz scores higher, this means that it could scratch apophyllite easier, which means it would be a better choice for jewelry or decorative objects.  A higher hardness score also means it can withstand water much better.

 

Patterns

Apophyllite will form in tetragonal crystals and will mainly display pyramidal or cubic shapes with well-defined edges and a vitreous luster, which simply means it resembles that of glass.  The clarity can vary from transparent to translucent, with natural inclusions occasionally visible.

Clear quartz, on the other hand, will have a hexagonal crystal structure, forming elongated prismatic crystals with pointed terminations. Usually, the clarity is high, also ranging from transparent to semi-transparent.  Sometimes, clear quartz can contain inclusions, veils, or phantoms, which can add to the crystal’s appeal; however, clear quartz will have fewer imperfections than apophyllite.

Whenever these crystals are in their point forms, they are easily distinguishable, however, when in clusters, it can be more of a challenge.  The key difference is that apophyllite has four sides, while quartz has six sides.   If you need, a jeweler’s loupe can be helpful to distinguish the difference.

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Metaphysical properties

Apophyllite is said to be one of the more powerful stones, mainly known for meditation purposes, as it’s said to awaken the soul.  It’s also associated with the third eye chakra, which means it may be able to help enhance your psychic abilities as well as help you connect to your higher self.  It’s often used as a token for better communication.  Apophyllite is also closely connected with spiritual growth, stress relief and angelic connections.

Clear quartz is very versatile, being known for a lot of things.  Mainly, it’s the “healer,” as it can be used for virtually any healing, including mental and/or physical.  If you need to make decisions, crystal healers often recommend this option as it’s said to calm your emotions.  It’s also connected with energy amplification, clearing the mind, healing as well as balancing all of your charkas.

Chakra Association

Apophyllite is closely connected to the third eye, but some say it’s apart of the crown chakra, too.  This will all depend on the color, as this can determine what’s connected to.

If it’s connected to the third eye, it’s said to eliminate negativity in your aura as well as welcome positive vibes to your life.  Other benefits may include more peace as well as improving your intuition.

The crown chakra, however, is connected more to the mind, allowing you to better understand perspectives in life.

Clear quartz can resonate with almost all chakras, and it’s said that clear quartz can balance of the them due to its versatility.

Is apophyllite and clear quartz the same?

No apophyllite and clear quartz are not the same, as you can see.  These are distinctly different minerals with varying chemical compositions, crystal structures, and properties.

To conclude here, apophyllite is a tetragonal crystal system, which means it has four sides, whereas clear quartz is a hexagonal crystal system with six points. Apophyllite is part of phyllosilicate minerals, which are composed of hydrated potassium calcium silicates.  Clear quartz is a variety of quartz, which is a silicon dioxide mineral.

Apophyllite also has a lower hardness, scoring about a 4.5 in comparison to a clear quartz 7.

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About Me

Hi! I'm Lauren, and I run Moonlight Gems AZ. I'm an avid crystal collector and would love to share my expertise with you.