mineral

Quartz (Yellow/Iron-stained Quartzite or Chalcedony)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale yellow, cream, tan with brownish iron oxide stains. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: ~2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow, cream, tan with brownish iron oxide stains
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 28, 2026More mineral →

Explore Quartz (Yellow/Iron-stained Quartzite or Chalcedony) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Pale yellow, cream, tan with brownish iron oxide stains. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: ~2.65.

Formation & geological history

Forms through hydrothermal processes, precipitation in sedimentary environments, or metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstones. Very stable and resistant to chemical weathering.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in lapidary work, jewelry, landscaping, industrial abrasives, and as glass-making silica source.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Yellow iron-stained quartz pebbles are frequently shaped by river transport over thousands of years.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its ability to scratch glass (Mohs 7), lack of cleavage, and translucent waxy to glassy luster. Found globally in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel deposits.