mineral

Yellow Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to golden
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified July 14, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous and metamorphic environments, typically in pegmatites or hydrothermal veins where silicon-rich fluids saturate and crystallize over geologic time.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in jewelry as a gemstone, decorative carvings, and as a collector's specimen. Industrial uses include glassmaking and electronics due to piezoelectric properties.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Yellow varieties can occur naturally due to ferric iron inclusions or be produced by heat-treating smoky quartz or amethyst.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Commonly found in mountainous regions worldwide, including the US, Brazil, and Madagascar.