mineral

Yellow Quartz (Citrine Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to golden honey
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified February 20, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks, primarily in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites. The yellow color is typically caused by ferric iron impurities or natural irradiation of quartz crystals over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in the gemstone industry for jewelry, as a decorative tumbled stone, and in metaphysical collecting. It is also a source of silica for industrial applications if found in high purity.

Geological facts

Natural yellow quartz is relatively rare; most commercial citrine is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. It is often called the 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore due to a belief that it attracts wealth.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Look for specimens in riverbeds or near pegmatite veins. Tumbled specimens like this one are commonly found in specialty shops and gem mines.

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