mineral
Polished amber-colored quartz (likely citrine or iron-stained quartz)
Quartz, SiO₂; yellow color from trace iron and/or inclusions
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 7; translucent honey-yellow to orange, vitreous luster, crystalline quartz structure, and indistinct cleavage with conchoidal fracture. The elongated polished form obscures natural crystal faces; internal veils and fractures are visible.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 7; translucent honey-yellow to orange, vitreous luster, crystalline quartz structure, and indistinct cleavage with conchoidal fracture. The elongated polished form obscures natural crystal faces; internal veils and fractures are visible.
Formation & geological history
Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in cavities and veins, commonly during late stages of igneous activity; associated deposits range from Precambrian to recent. Heat and irradiation can produce citrine coloration, while iron-oxide inclusions may create orange tones.
Uses & applications
Used as a lapidary cabochon, carving, ornament, and jewelry stone; quartz is also important industrially in glass, ceramics, electronics, and abrasives.
Geological facts
Natural citrine is relatively uncommon; much commercial “citrine” is heat-treated amethyst. A uniformly vivid orange color, curved polish, and visible inclusions are consistent with a polished quartz specimen, but photography cannot exclude amber or glass.
Field identification & locations
Common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, Zambia, and the United States. Quartz scratches glass but should not be scratched by steel; bubbles would suggest glass, while amber is much softer (Mohs 2–2.5) and may float in salt water.
