mineral
Yellow Quartz (Citrine / Milky Quartz)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, pale yellow to translucent cream color, vitreous to waxy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65
Identified More mineral →
Explore Yellow Quartz (Citrine / Milky Quartz) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, pale yellow to translucent cream color, vitreous to waxy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, specific gravity of 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments through hydrothermal processes, pegmatites, or vein deposits, often associated with microcrystalline quartz or altered amethyst/smoky quartz
Uses & applications
Popular for lapidary work, tumbled stones, jewelry beads, metaphysical collections, and educational mineral sets
Geological facts
Natural citrine is relatively rare and gets its golden hue from trace amounts of iron. Tumbled pale yellow quartz specimens like this are often smoothed by water action or rock tumblers
Field identification & locations
Identified by its ability to scratch glass (hardness 7), lack of cleavage, translucent appearance, and smooth tumbled surface. Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa, and the United States
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral