mineral

Tumbled honey quartz (likely iron-stained quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), with limonite/goethite inclusions or surface staining

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent golden-brown to amber, vitreous luster, irregular conchoidal fracture, no visible cleavage; Mohs hardness 7 and specific gravity about 2.65. The rounded form is mechanically tumbled and polished.

Identified August 13, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Tumbled honey quartz (likely iron-stained quartz)
Scientific name: Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), with limonite/goethite inclusions or surface staining
Category: mineral
Identified: August 13, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $2–$15 for a common tumbled piece; $20–$100+ if unusually clear, naturally colored, or sold as a documented collectible.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in veins, cavities, and igneous or metamorphic rocks; yellow-brown coloration commonly results from iron oxides/hydroxides. Quartz ranges from Precambrian to recent in age, depending on its host deposit.

Uses & applications

Used as an inexpensive lapidary and carving material, ornamental stone, and collector specimen; suitable for jewelry when well polished, though this piece appears opaque and cabochon-grade rather than gem-grade.

Geological facts

Golden coloration can also indicate citrine, but natural citrine is typically clearer and more evenly colored; iron-stained quartz is the safer identification from this image.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its glassy luster, hardness, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife easily; common worldwide in quartz veins and gravel deposits. Acid testing is unnecessary, and avoid assuming it is citrine without locality or testing.