mineral

Yellow quartz fragment (likely citrine or iron-stained quartz)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂), trigonal crystal system

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness 7 Mohs; translucent yellow with a vitreous luster and conchoidal fracture. The small angular fragment lacks visible crystal faces, so citrine cannot be confirmed from the image alone; iron staining or heat-treated amethyst are alternatives.

Identified September 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in igneous and hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and sedimentary cavities; yellow coloration commonly results from iron impurities. The specimen’s geological age is indeterminate and depends on its host rock.

Uses & applications

Quartz is widely used in glass, electronics, abrasives, and construction; transparent yellow material may be cut as a gemstone or kept as a specimen.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is relatively uncommon; much commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst. Quartz does not have cleavage and commonly breaks with curved, shell-like surfaces.

Field identification & locations

Test with a steel file or glass: quartz should scratch glass and resist a steel blade. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, Uruguay, and the United States; confirm identity with hardness, refractive index, and microscopy.