mineral

Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Pale yellow to golden brown; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 Mohs
Color: Pale yellow to golden brown
Luster: Vitreous

Identified May 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Pale yellow to golden brown; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous rocks (granite pegmatites) and metamorphic rocks. Most commercial citrine is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, though natural citrine forms via geothermal heat in the earth's crust.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry as a gemstone, crystal healing practices, and as a collector's mineral specimen.

Geological facts

Citrine is known as the 'Merchant's Stone' or 'Success Stone' in folklore. Natural citrine is quite rare compared to the heat-treated variety found in most shops.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its yellow hue, lack of cleavage, and ability to scratch glass. Natural specimens often show dichroism. Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.