Phantom quartz is a variety of quartz that features a 'ghost' of an earlier crystal within its structure, formed when growth was interrupted and then resumed. These internal outlines are typically highlighted by inclusions of minerals like chlorite or hematite during the growth pause. Collectors prize these for their geometric beauty and the insight they provide into the crystal's complex growth history.
Is this phantom quartz?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch phantom quartz with a known reference. Phantom Quartz sits at Mohs 7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray, brown, green, purple.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with internal ghost outlines.
Often confused with
Phantom Quartz vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside phantom quartz
Minerals reported to co-occur with phantom quartz. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Density
- 2.65 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic crystals with internal ghost outlines
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative, Lapidary
- Host rock
- hydrothermal veins and pegmatites
Where rockhounds find phantom quartz
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Brazil
- Madagascar
- USA
- Himalayas
- Swiss Alps
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: hydrothermal veins and pegmatites. If you start seeing chlorite, hematite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals with internal ghost outlines. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify phantom quartz?+
Where is phantom quartz found?+
Can I find phantom quartz in the United States?+
What rocks look like phantom quartz?+
What minerals are found with phantom quartz?+
What kind of rock does phantom quartz form in?+
What is phantom quartz used for?+
Find phantom quartz on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
