mineral
Yellow Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, yellow to golden-brown color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, yellow to golden-brown color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and sedimentary environments through the crystallization of silica-rich solutions under varying temperatures and pressures.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, as a decorative gemstone, in crystal healing collections, and historically in various ornamental carvings.
Geological facts
Yellow quartz containing natural irradiation-induced color centers is often categorized as citrine, though many commercial specimens are heat-treated amethyst.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and conchoidal fracture. Commonly found worldwide in pegmatites and quartz-bearing rock formations.
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