mineral

Yellow Quartz / Chalcedony

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, waxy to vitreous luster, translucent to semi-opaque, yellow to honey-brown color caused by iron inclusions, lacks distinct cleavage, conchoidal fracture.

Identified July 27, 2026More mineral →

Explore Yellow Quartz / Chalcedony in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, waxy to vitreous luster, translucent to semi-opaque, yellow to honey-brown color caused by iron inclusions, lacks distinct cleavage, conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the precipitation of silica-rich hydrothermal fluids in cavities, veins, or sedimentary gravel beds. Common in alluvial and river deposit environments.

Uses & applications

Used widely in lapidary arts, jewelry, tumbled stones, pocket stones, and decorative rock collections.

Geological facts

Yellow quartz varieties often get their coloration from microscopic trace amounts of iron oxides like goethite or hematite distributed within the crystal structure.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its hardness (scratches glass), waxy luster when wet or polished, and translucency when held up to light. Commonly found in riverbeds, beach gravels, and pegmatite regions worldwide.