mineral

Yellow Quartz (Citrine Quartz)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

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

Identified March 26, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous environments like pegmatites or hydrothermal veins where silicon-rich fluids crystallize. Yellow coloration often comes from trace amounts of iron or natural radiation over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry (faceting and cabochons), ornamental carvings, and as a popular specimen for gemstone collectors and metaphysical enthusiasts.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare; much of the commercial 'citrine' available today is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. It is known as the 'Success Stone' in folklore.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its ability to scratch glass (hardness) and lack of cleavage planes. Frequently found in riverbeds as water-worn pebbles (like the one pictured) or in mineral-rich mountainous regions such as Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.

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