mineral

Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to golden brown
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified June 20, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins or as a secondary mineral in igneous rocks like granite and pegmatites through the natural irradiation of quartz or heating of amethyst. Most commercial Citrine is heat-treated amethyst.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry as a gemstone, as well as in crystal healing practices and mineral collections.

Geological facts

Citrine is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore. It is the birthstone for November. Natural citrine is rare; the majority of the market is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its yellow-to-amber color and quartz-like transparency. It will scratch glass easily but cannot be scratched by a steel knife. Found commonly in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral