mineral
Tumbled yellow-orange quartz
Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), likely iron-stained milky quartz or citrine-like quartz
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 7 Mohs; translucent cream to honey-yellow color, vitreous-to-waxy luster, and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the rounded shape is from mechanical tumbling, with surface fractures and iron-oxide staining visible.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent cream to honey-yellow color, vitreous-to-waxy luster, and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the rounded shape is from mechanical tumbling, with surface fractures and iron-oxide staining visible.
Formation & geological history
Quartz crystallizes from silica-rich hydrothermal fluids or igneous melts; iron staining can produce yellow-orange colors. Quartz occurs from Precambrian to modern geological settings, while this specimen has been human-polished.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative stone, craft material, and inexpensive lapidary specimen; gem-quality transparent citrine is used in jewelry. This cloudy, fractured piece has primarily ornamental value.
Geological facts
Its yellow color may reflect limonite or hematite coatings rather than true citrine. A steel file should not scratch quartz, though glass can be scratched by a sharp edge.
Field identification & locations
Common in quartz veins, granite-related deposits, stream gravels, and pegmatites worldwide. Confirm with a hardness test and inspect for quartz-like conchoidal fracture; avoid confusing it with calcite, which is much softer.
