mineral
Yellow Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow to golden-brown; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (exhibits conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Yellow to golden-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
Identified More mineral →
Explore Yellow Quartz in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow to golden-brown; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (exhibits conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and sedimentary environments through the precipitation of silica-rich solutions under varying temperatures and pressures.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, lapidary arts, and mineral specimen collecting.
Geological facts
The yellow color in quartz is typically caused by natural irradiation acting on aluminum impurities or microscopic inclusions of iron oxide/hydroxide.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its distinct yellow coloration, high hardness (scratches glass), and glassy luster. Commonly found worldwide in pegmatites and quartz veins.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Soil with Mineral Detritus and Quartz Fragments
Regolith / Silicate Mineral Aggregate
sedimentary
Limonite / Goethite (Iron Ore Mineral nodule)
FeO(OH)·nH2O / FeO(OH)
mineral
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral