mineral

Tumbled yellowish quartz or chalcedony

Quartz/chalcedony, SiO₂

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Smooth, rounded, opaque to translucent cream-yellow specimen with a waxy to vitreous luster; hardness about 7 Mohs for quartz, with no visible cleavage and conchoidal fracture. The image is insufficient to distinguish ordinary quartz from yellow chalcedony, citrine, or dyed material.

Identified August 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Silica-rich fluids formed quartz or microcrystalline chalcedony in veins, cavities, or sedimentary deposits; such pieces are commonly rounded naturally or by tumbling. Precise geological age and locality cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Used as a lapidary, decorative, or collectible stone; quartz varieties are also used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, and electronics. This small tumbled piece has modest value.

Geological facts

Yellow coloration may result from iron impurities, inclusions, heat treatment, or dye. Chalcedony is fibrous cryptocrystalline quartz, whereas citrine is transparent crystalline quartz.

Field identification & locations

Commonly found in Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, India, and the United States. A steel file should not easily scratch quartz; glassy fracture and strong hardness support identification, while a specific-gravity or gemological test is more reliable.