mineral

Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellow, honey, or brownish-yellow; Luster: vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: yellow, honey, or brownish-yellow
Luster: vitreous (glassy)

Identified June 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: yellow, honey, or brownish-yellow; Luster: vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Citrine is a variety of quartz that gets its color from ferric iron impurities. It forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks, particularly in hydrothermal veins and geodes. Natural citrine is rare; many commercial specimens are heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry as a gemstone, as well as for decorative carvings and mineral collecting. It is the birthstone for November.

Geological facts

The name comes from the French word 'citron' (lemon). It was highly popular during the Art Deco period and was a favorite of Queen Victoria for Scottish pin designs. Natural citrine lacks the white, opaque base often seen in heat-treated amethyst specimens.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and yellow-to-orange hue with a glassy luster. Found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia. Note that most deeply orange specimens with white bases are heat-treated.