mineral
Quartz (Yellow/Citrine Variety)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Mohs hardness 7, translucent yellowish-tan color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity ~2.65
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 7, translucent yellowish-tan color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity ~2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and metamorphic rocks. Iron impurities or natural radiation impart the yellowish tint.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, decorative carvings, lapidary arts, and popular in gemstone collecting.
Geological facts
Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Natural yellowish quartz is often referred to as citrine.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its scratch resistance (scratches glass), lack of true cleavage, and greasy-to-vitreous lustre. Highly durable for tumbling and polishing.
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