mineral

Yellow Quartz

SiO2 (Crystalline Silicon Dioxide)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, honey-gold to translucent; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Yellow, honey-gold to translucent
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites through the cooling of silica-rich fluids. This specimen appears water-worn or weathered, likely a secondary deposit from a riverbed or alluvial source.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry, as 'healing crystals' in metaphysical practices, and as ornamental decor.

Geological facts

Crystalline yellow quartz is often confused with Citrine; however, Citrine is much rarer in nature. The region of Djibouti/Eastern Africa has complex rift geology producing a variety of silica-based minerals including chalcedony and quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass (hardness) and lack of cleavage. Often found in dry wadis or riverbeds in the East African Rift region, which is geologically active with volcanic and hydrothermal deposits.