mineral

Yellow Quartz Pebble (Citrine Quartz / Iron-stained Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Yellowish-orange to honey-brown due to iron oxide impurities or inclusions. Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal Structure: Trigonal (microcrystalline or massive quartz aggregate). Specific Gravity: ~2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified July 25, 2026More mineral →

Explore Yellow Quartz Pebble (Citrine Quartz / Iron-stained Quartz) in the encyclopedia →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or pegmatites, later weathered and rounded into a water-worn river pebble by natural erosion processes over thousands to millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as decorative pebbles, tumbled stones, wire-wrapped jewelry pieces, or lapidary material for hobbyist collectors.

Geological facts

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth's crust. Natural yellow quartz gets its color either from trace iron (Fe3+) in the crystal lattice or superficial iron-stain coatings (limonite/hematite) deposited by groundwater.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (scratches glass, cannot be scratched by steel), smooth water-worn texture, conchoidal fracture, and translucent yellow-orange color. Commonly found along riverbeds, beaches, and alluvial gravel deposits worldwide.

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Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

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Metamorphic

Septarian Pebble

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Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust

Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)

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Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)

Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)

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Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)

Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)

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