mineral

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

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), yellow coloration from iron impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; pale yellow to honey-gold, translucent, with a glassy-to-waxy luster and no obvious cleavage. The rounded shape indicates tumbling or natural abrasion; crystal structure is trigonal, though individual crystal faces are absent.

Identified September 3, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Tumbled yellow quartz (likely citrine or iron-stained quartz)
Scientific name: Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), yellow coloration from iron impurities
Category: mineral
Identified: September 3, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $1–$10 for a common tumbled piece; $20–$100+ for larger, well-colored natural citrine, depending on verified provenance and clarity.

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

Quartz forms in igneous, hydrothermal, and metamorphic environments; yellow color may result from iron staining or irradiation. The specimen’s exact geological age and locality cannot be determined from the image.

Uses & applications

Used as a lapidary, ornamental, and inexpensive jewelry material; potentially collectible if the color is natural citrine rather than heat-treated amethyst.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is relatively uncommon; much commercial “citrine” is heat-treated amethyst, often showing orange color and reddish bases. Similar yellow stones include yellow calcite and chalcedony.

Field identification & locations

Quartz should scratch ordinary glass but not be scratched by a steel knife; calcite will not scratch glass and reacts with dilute acid. Common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, and the United States.