Rock Identifier
Tumbled yellow chalcedony (likely citrine or yellow jasper) (Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂; exact identification requires testing) — mineral
mineral

Tumbled yellow chalcedony (likely citrine or yellow jasper)

Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂; exact identification requires testing

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Honey-yellow, translucent to opaque, waxy/glassy luster, irregular tumbled shape, no visible cleavage; quartz hardness about 7, specific gravity ~2.6. The cloudy, granular appearance favors chalcedony or jasper over gem-quality citrine.

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Physical properties

Honey-yellow, translucent to opaque, waxy/glassy luster, irregular tumbled shape, no visible cleavage; quartz hardness about 7, specific gravity ~2.6. The cloudy, granular appearance favors chalcedony or jasper over gem-quality citrine.

Formation & geological history

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities or fractures, often as cryptocrystalline quartz; coloration commonly comes from iron oxides. Deposits range from Precambrian to recent, depending on locality.

Uses & applications

Used as a polished ornamental stone, cabochon, bead, and inexpensive collectible; jasper varieties are also used for carvings and décor.

Geological facts

Chalcedony is quartz whose crystals are too small to see unaided; yellow coloration may also result from iron staining or heat treatment.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in volcanic cavities, sedimentary nodules, and alluvial gravels. A steel file should not easily scratch it; glass can be scratched by quartz, while weak fizzing would suggest calcite rather than quartz.