mineral

Citrine

Citrine (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: transparent yellow to brownish orange; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: transparent yellow to brownish orange
Luster: Vitreous

Identified March 22, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: transparent yellow to brownish orange; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Hexagonal/Trigonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks, particularly in pegmatites or hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine gets its color from trace amounts of iron. Geological age varies by deposit, typically found in ancient pegmatites.

Uses & applications

Primary use is in jewelry as a gemstone. It is also a popular collector's mineral and used in holistic practices (often called the 'Merchant's Stone').

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare; most 'citrine' in the market is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. You can tell heat-treated varieties by their lack of pleochroism and often more reddish or opaque white bases.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), glass-like luster, and lack of cleavage. Common locations include Brazil (the leading producer), Madagascar, Spain, and the Ural Mountains in Russia.