Scepter Quartz is a distinct quartz habit where a larger, younger crystal forms at the termination of an older, thinner stalk, creating a mushroom-like or scepter appearance. It forms in hydrothermal environments where a sudden change in conditions triggers rapid secondary growth on an existing crystal tip.
Is this scepter 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 scepter quartz with a known reference. Scepter 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. Scepter Quartz leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Scepter Quartz typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, smoky, amethyst, citrine.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: scepter-shaped; a thicker head of crystal perched atop a thinner stalk.
Often found alongside scepter quartz
Minerals reported to co-occur with scepter 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
- Scepter-shaped; A Thicker Head of Crystal Perched Atop A Thinner Stalk
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Lapidary
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $20-200 thumbnail, $300-2000 cabinet specimen
Where rockhounds find scepter quartz
Classic worldwide localities
- Madagascar
- Brazil
- USA
- Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where scepter quartz typically forms. If you start seeing microcline, albite, tourmaline in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a scepter-shaped; a thicker head of crystal perched atop a thinner stalk habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find scepter quartz on the map
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