mineral

Tumbled yellow-orange chalcedony (likely carnelian or honey agate)

Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂; orange coloration commonly from iron oxides

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 6.5–7; translucent yellow-orange to reddish coloration, waxy-to-glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage, and quartz’s trigonal crystal structure. The smooth shape indicates tumbling and polishing.

Identified August 15, 2026More mineral →

Explore Tumbled yellow-orange chalcedony (likely carnelian or honey agate) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

At a glance

Common name: Tumbled yellow-orange chalcedony (likely carnelian or honey agate)
Scientific name: Microcrystalline quartz, SiO₂; orange coloration commonly from iron oxides
Category: mineral
Identified: August 15, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

Approximately $3–$20 for a small tumbled stone; $20–$100+ for larger, strongly colored, translucent, or patterned pieces.

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

Forms when silica-rich groundwater fills cavities and fractures, depositing cryptocrystalline quartz over long periods; iron oxidation produces the warm colors. Such material occurs in volcanic and sedimentary host rocks, generally from relatively young to ancient deposits.

Uses & applications

Used for beads, cabochons, ornaments, and inexpensive decorative stones; polished pieces are popular in mineral collections.

Geological facts

Carnelian is the red-orange variety of chalcedony, while paler yellow material may be called honey chalcedony or agate depending on banding and translucency.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its very hard, smooth, quartz-like surface and inability to scratch with a steel nail; it should scratch glass but not be scratched by it. Common sources include India, Brazil, Madagascar, Uruguay, and the United States.