mineral

Yellow Quartz (Rough)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to honey-gold; Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when rough); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to honey-gold
Luster: Vitreous to waxy (when rough)

Identified March 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins or pegmatites. The yellow hue is typically caused by trace impurities of iron or through geological irradiation over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in gemstone lapidary and jewelry making when of high clarity. Rough specimens are common in the metaphysical community for 'healing' and as collector samples for educational geological kits.

Geological facts

Natural yellow quartz is often confused with Citrine, but natural Citrine is quite rare; most 'Citrine' on the commercial market is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage planes. Commonly found in riverbeds as water-worn pebbles or in quartz-rich mountainous regions like Brazil, Madagascar, and parts of the USA.