mineral

Tumbled pale-yellow quartz (likely citrine or iron-stained quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent cream to honey-yellow color, vitreous luster, and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the rounded shape indicates tumbling or natural abrasion.

Identified August 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent cream to honey-yellow color, vitreous luster, and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the rounded shape indicates tumbling or natural abrasion.

Formation & geological history

Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids and igneous melts; yellow color commonly results from iron impurities or heat treatment. The specimen’s exact geological age and whether it is natural citrine cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative and lapidary stone, in jewelry, carvings, and mineral collections; quartz also has major industrial uses in glass, electronics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is uncommon; much commercial “citrine” is heat-treated amethyst. A scratch test against steel or glass can help confirm quartz, though it may damage the specimen.

Field identification & locations

Likely quartz if it scratches ordinary glass and shows a glassy luster; common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, and the United States. Strongly uniform orange color may suggest treatment.