mineral

Yellow Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, golden, honey; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Yellow, golden, honey
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, golden, honey; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None, exhibits conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and sedimentary environments where silica-rich solutions precipitate silicon dioxide over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, lapidary arts, metaphysical practices, and occasionally in industrial applications due to piezoelectric properties.

Geological facts

Yellow quartz is often colored by the inclusion of iron oxide or radiation damage within the crystal lattice. It is sometimes confused with citrine, though natural yellow quartz forms under different geological conditions.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its distinctive yellow to honey coloration, conchoidal fracture, and scratch resistance against steel. Found globally in quartz-bearing rocks and alluvial deposits.