mineral

Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale yellow to brownish orange; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Pale yellow to brownish orange
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified June 9, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale yellow to brownish orange; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks, primarily in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine owes its color to trace amounts of ferric iron (Fe3+) in the quartz lattice.

Uses & applications

Extensively used as a gemstone in jewelry (rings, pendants, earrings), as a collector's mineral specimen, and in holistic practices as a 'success stone'.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare in nature. Most commercial 'citrine' is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, which turns a bright orange-yellow when baked at high temperatures.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and yellow-gold-amber translucence. Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia. Collectors value natural, unheated specimens with high clarity.