mineral

Tumbled citrine or yellow quartz

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂); likely iron-colored or heat-treated citrine

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent pale yellow to orange, with vitreous luster and no obvious cleavage. Quartz is trigonal and has conchoidal fracture; the rounded surface is tumbled and may show internal veils or fractures.

Identified August 31, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids and igneous pegmatites; yellow coloration commonly comes from iron impurities, while commercial citrine is often heat-treated amethyst. Natural quartz deposits range from Precambrian to recent geological ages.

Uses & applications

Used as a collectible or inexpensive gemstone, in carvings and jewelry; quartz is also important industrially in glass, ceramics, electronics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

True natural citrine is relatively uncommon; much marketed “citrine” is heat-treated purple amethyst or smoky quartz. The image alone cannot reliably distinguish natural from treated material.

Field identification & locations

Look for glassy luster, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, conchoidal fractures, and lack of cleavage; avoid relying on color alone. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, Uruguay, Spain, and the United States.