mineral
Yellow Quartz (Citrine / Orange Quartz)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, yellowish-orange to translucent tan color.
Identified More mineral →
Explore Yellow Quartz (Citrine / Orange 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, vitreous to greasy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, yellowish-orange to translucent tan color.
Formation & geological history
Forms in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and igneous rocks through the cooling of silica-rich solutions under high pressure.
Uses & applications
Used widely in ornamental carvings, lapidary projects, crystal healing collections, and jewelry making.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust. Yellow varieties can naturally derive their hue from ferric iron impurities.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its inability to be scratched by steel, lack of distinct cleavage, and glassy appearance. Widely found in Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, and the United States.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral