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, 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
How do you identify scepter quartz?+
Where is scepter quartz found?+
How much is scepter quartz worth?+
What minerals are found with scepter quartz?+
What kind of rock does scepter quartz form in?+
What is scepter quartz used for?+
Find scepter quartz on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
