mineral

Rough Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with ferric iron impurities

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

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to smoky amber
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous or metamorphic environments, primarily within hydrothermal veins or pegmatites. Natural citrine is rare and often forms when amethyst or smoky quartz is subjected to natural geothermal heat.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry as a gemstone and by mineral collectors. In industry, quartz is used for its piezoelectric properties in electronics, though synthetic versions are more common for that purpose.

Geological facts

Known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore. Most commercial citrine is actually heat-treated amethyst, which takes on a deep orange hue, whereas natural citrine is typically a paler yellow.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), glassy luster, and absence of cleavage planes. Common locations include Brazil (the top producer), Madagascar, Spain, and Russia. Look for it in river beds near quartz veins.

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