mineral

Yellow or Honey Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Translucent golden-yellow to honey-brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Translucent golden-yellow to honey-brown
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 27, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Translucent golden-yellow to honey-brown; Luster: Vitreous to waxy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or igneous pegmatites. This specific specimen appears water-worn (tumbled), common in riverbeds or coastal environments where erosion rounds the edges over centuries.

Uses & applications

Used in semi-precious jewelry, as lapidary material, for crystal healing collecting, and in some industrial abrasive applications.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Honey-colored quartz is often mistaken for citrine, though the latter is rarer and usually clearer.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and translucent quality. Commonly found in gravel pits, beaches, and mountain streams.