mineral

Citrine

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: yellow to brownish-orange; Luster: vitreous; Crystal Structure: hexagonal; Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 Mohs
Color: yellow to brownish-orange
Luster: vitreous

Identified May 9, 2026More mineral →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: yellow to brownish-orange; Luster: vitreous; Crystal Structure: hexagonal; Cleavage: none; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Citrine is a variety of quartz that forms when purple amethyst or smoky quartz is naturally heated by geothermal processes deep within the earth's crust. Most commercial citrine is created by heat-treating low-grade amethyst.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry (rings, necklaces) and as a popular specimen for crystal healing and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare in nature compared to other quartz varieties. It is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore. Most of the orange-toned citrine on the market is actually heat-treated amethyst from Brazil.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its transparent golden-yellow to honey-orange color. In the field, look for quartz crystals with no cleavage and a conchoidal fracture. Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.