mineral
Quartz (Orangey-Yellow variety)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale orange to yellowish-white. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale orange to yellowish-white
- Luster
- Vitreous to waxy
Identified More mineral →
Explore Quartz (Orangey-Yellow variety) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale orange to yellowish-white. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms in a wide variety of environments, most commonly from the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal activity in veins. The orange tint is often caused by micro-inclusions of iron oxides like hematite or goethite.
Uses & applications
Used in glass manufacturing, as an abrasive, in electronics (piezoelectric properties), and frequently as a gemstone or decorative collector's item in its colored forms.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Specimens with this specific orange-yellow hue are often sold as 'Citrine' if the color is deep enough, though many natural specimens are actually ferruginous quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its ability to scratch glass, lack of cleavage, and characteristic conchoidal (shell-like) fracture. It is found globally, particularly in mountainous regions and riverbeds.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic