mineral
Yellow Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; yellow to golden color due to iron oxide inclusions; vitreous to greasy luster; trigonal crystal system; no cleavage with conchoidal fracture; specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale; yellow to golden color due to iron oxide inclusions; vitreous to greasy luster; trigonal crystal system; no cleavage with conchoidal fracture; specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and sedimentary environments over millions of years as silica-rich fluids cooled and precipitated.
Uses & applications
Used in gemstone jewelry, ornamental carvings, crystal healing collections, and industrial applications.
Geological facts
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's continental crust. Yellow varieties tinted by iron are often referred to loosely as yellow quartz, citrine, or ferruginous quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, conchoidal fracture, and characteristic yellow coloration. Found worldwide in riverbeds, gravel deposits, and mineral veins.
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