mineral

Yellow Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Yellow to tan (honey-colored). Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Yellow to tan (honey-colored)
Luster: Vitreous to waxy

Identified June 13, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Yellow to tan (honey-colored). Luster: Vitreous to waxy. Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed from hydrothermal veins or as a secondary mineral in sedimentary deposits. This specimen appears water-worn, indicating it was shaped by fluvial (river) or coastal erosion over centuries.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry as tumbled stones, decorative rock in landscaping, silica source for glass making, and as a popular collectable for beginners.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Yellow varieties can sometimes be referred to as common citrine if the color is natural, though most common yellow river stones get their tint from iron oxide inclusions.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. It is commonly found in riverbeds, beaches, and gravel pits globally. It is extremely resistant to chemical weathering.