mineral

Tumbled yellow chalcedony (likely citrine or yellow quartz)

Quartz, SiO₂; potentially microcrystalline chalcedony

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Pale honey-yellow, translucent, vitreous to waxy luster, rounded from tumbling, and no visible cleavage; quartz hardness is 7 Mohs and specific gravity about 2.65. The image alone cannot distinguish yellow chalcedony from heat-treated amethyst/citrine or iron-stained quartz.

Identified August 8, 2026More mineral →

Explore Tumbled yellow chalcedony (likely citrine or yellow quartz) in the encyclopedia →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in hydrothermal veins, cavities, and sedimentary environments; chalcedony precipitates from silica-rich groundwater. Formation ages vary widely, from recent weathering deposits to Precambrian and younger volcanic-hosted material.

Uses & applications

Used as a tumbled decorative stone, cabochon, bead, and low-cost jewelry material; quartz is also important industrially in glass, electronics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

A steel blade should not easily scratch it, while quartz or a streak plate can scratch it. Stronger identification requires a refractive-index, hardness, and microscopic or spectroscopic test.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, India, and the United States. Look for conchoidal fracture, translucency, and absence of obvious cleavage; a uniformly orange-yellow color may indicate heat treatment.