Top 12 Yellow Gemstones

There are many beautiful yellow gemstones to choose from when looking for the perfect addition to your jewelry collection.

These are awesome options to finalize a yellow dress or to add the last touch of color to a red outfit.

Here, we made a list of our top 12 yellow gems that we hope you’ll love too!

1. Citrine

Citrine is a popular gemstone that ranges in color from lemon yellow to golden brown. This gemstone is mainly made of silicon dioxide.

Citrine gemstones usually have a hardness level of 7 on the Mohs scale.

The name citrine comes from the French word for lemon, “citron”.

Citrine is often used in jewelry, particularly in rings and pendants. The majority of citrine deposits are found in Brazil, but it can also be found in Madagascar, Russia, Spain, and the United States.

2. Golden beryl

Golden Beryl gemstones are a type of beryl that is yellow in color. This is caused by the presence of iron and titanium in its hexagonal crystal structure.

The hardness of golden beryl is around 7.5 on the Mohs scale.

The name golden beryl comes from the Latin word “berillus” which means “shiny” or “brilliant”.

Golden beryl deposits are found in the Americas and Africa.

3. Yellow agate

Yellow agate is a type of Chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz. The yellow color comes from the presence of iron oxide. Variations of this concentration can push the color towards brown and red.

Agates get about a 6.5–7 rating on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

The name “agate” comes from the Greek word “achates”, which means “good luck”.

Agate is often used in jewelry and is found in many deposits around the world especially in the Americas and Africa.

4. Yellow diamond

A yellow diamond is a classic diamond with a remarkable yellow hue. This color is caused by the presence of nitrogen impurities in the crystal structure.

Diamonds are known for their shine and hardness. This makes them ideal for use in jewelry, as they are less likely to be scratched or damaged.

Diamonds get a 10 rating on the Mohs scale leading the pack of gemstones.

Yellow diamonds are less common than other colors of diamonds. They are typically found in deposits in Africa, Australia, and South America.

5. Yellow garnet

The garnet gemstone is a beautiful and unique gemstone. It has a variety of versions ranging from yellow to orange.

The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word “granatus”, meaning “seed”, referring to the pomegranate fruit.

The hardness of the yellow garnet is about 7 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable gemstone for jewelry.

The most notable deposits of yellow garnet are found in Australia, Brazil, India, and Sri Lanka.

6. Yellow jade

The jade gem is a type of mineral found in several colors, but the most common is yellow.

It has a hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale and is often used in jewelry. The name “jade” comes from the Spanish word for stone, which is “piedra”.

Jade deposits are found in many parts of the world, most notably South America, East and South Asia.

Check our post on Jade vs Emerald for a comparison with a precious stone.

7. Yellow jasper

The color of yellow jasper gemstone ranges from pale to bright yellow, and sometimes it can show brown or red hues. The hardness level of this gem is in the 6.5-7 range on the Mohs scale.

The name originates from the Greek word for “spotted stone”.

It is a popular gemstone for jewelry making and deposits are found in many countries, including Brazil, Egypt, and the United States.

8. Yellow opal

An opal is a gemstone that is typically milky white in color, but can also exhibit a range of other colors. The stone’s name is thought to originate from the Sanskrit word “upala,” meaning “valuable stone.”

Opals are rated at a 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them relatively soft and susceptible to scratching and chipping.

When used in jewelry, opals are often cut into cabochons or carved into beads. Notable opal deposits are found in Australia, Africa and the Americas.

A yellow opal necklace earrings set can add a nice flavor to a green dress.

9. Yellow sapphire

Sapphire is a type of gemstone that is known for its rareness, hardness and outstanding shine.

It is one of the four precious stones with emerald, ruby and of course diamond.

The name “sapphire” comes from the Latin word for blue, but this is not the only color sapphire offers. Its yellow varieties can also be found in green, orange, and pink sapphires.

These shiny gems get a 9 rating on the Mohs scale. They are right behind diamond which has a 10 grade. In other words, you’ll rarely encounter another object harder than a sapphire. They offer high durability against wear and tear.

Sapphires are typically found in deposits in South Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia. They are often used in jewelry because of their hardness and very rightly for their unique colors.

10. Yellow topaz

This gem is the yellow variety of the topaz family. It is a beautiful gemstone that is quite hard.

There are debates on the origin of this gem. Some think it came from St John’s island (today’s Zabargad Island of Egypt) in the Red Sea where a yellow stone was mined. Alternatively, some think the name is derived from the Greek word for fire.

It has a Mohs rating of 8, which makes it a durable gem for jewelry.

This stone is often used as a diamond substitute. It offers a similar look to diamonds at an affordable price.

Topaz deposits are found in many parts of the world, such as North and South America, South Africa, and Southeast Asia.

11. Yellow tourmaline

Tourmaline gems come in a wide range of colors from orange to black, from green to blue. Yellow Tourmaline is the version that ranges in color from pale to deep golden yellow.

It is nicknamed the “Sri Lankan Magnet” because of its piezoelectric properties.

Piezoelectric materials have the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress. Piezoelectricity is a phenomenon that generates electricity resulting from pressure. It comes from the Greek root piezein, which means to press or squeeze.

The most common piezoelectric materials are crystals, like quartz, and tourmaline. When pressure is applied to these materials, they produce a voltage. This voltage can be used to power electronic devices or to create an electrical current.

Piezoelectricity is based on the movement of electrons within the crystal structure of the material. When pressure is applied, the electrons move and create a voltage difference between the two sides of the material. This voltage can be harnessed to power electronic devices or to create an electrical current.

Tourmaline has a hardness around 7 on the Mohs scale. They are hard, but not as much as diamonds.

It can be used in all types of jewelry, including rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Most tourmaline deposits are found in North and South America, Southeast Asia and Africa.

12. Yellow zircon

Zircon is a beautiful and popular gemstone that has been used in jewelry as a diamond simulant like cubic zirconia and moissanite.

The name “zircon” is derived from the Persian word “zargun” meaning “gold-hued”.

Although it can be found in the Earth’s crust, it is very rare. But scientists have found methods to produce stones in the lab. Today, nearly all zircon varieties you see in jewelry stores are man-made.

Yellow zircon does usually have a gold-like color, but it can have shades going towards orange, red, and green.

Zircon is a relatively hard gemstone, rating a 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It is also quite durable, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear.

The foremost deposits are in Australia and South Africa.

Zircon is believed to have many metaphysical properties, including bringing good luck, prosperity, and wisdom to its wearer. It is also said to help alleviate fears and anxieties. Yellow zircon makes an excellent addition to any gem collection.