mineral

Yellow chalcedony (likely lemon quartz or citrine)

Cryptocrystalline silica, SiO₂; possible quartz variety

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent lemon-yellow, vitreous to waxy luster, hardness about 7 Mohs, no obvious cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and specific gravity near 2.6. The rounded polished form obscures crystal structure and may be dyed or heat-treated.

Identified August 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz-rich material forms when silica precipitates from groundwater in cavities and fractures, commonly in volcanic rocks; coloration may come from iron impurities or treatment. Geological ages vary from recent deposits to Paleozoic and older host rocks.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative tumbled stone, cabochon, carving material, and inexpensive jewelry stone; quartz varieties are also important industrial silica sources.

Geological facts

The intense uniform yellow color and highly polished, rounded shape are consistent with commercial tumbled chalcedony, citrine, lemon quartz, or dyed quartz rather than a confidently identifiable species from the photograph alone.

Field identification & locations

Look for a glassy luster, conchoidal fracture, hardness sufficient to scratch ordinary glass, and absence of bubbles; bubbles would suggest glass. Common sources include Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar, India, and the United States.