mineral

Quartz / Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellow to pale golden/light brownish; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Yellow to pale golden/light brownish
Luster: Vitreous

Identified April 14, 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 scale); Color: Yellow to pale golden/light brownish; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous (pegmatites) and metamorphic rocks through hydrothermal processes. Most commercial 'citrine' is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry (gemstone), electronics (piezoelectric properties), glassmaking, and as a popular collector's mineral.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare; most available on the market is heat-induced. It is often called the 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore due to a belief it brings prosperity.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and translucent yellow hue. Look for it in pegmatite veins or as tumbled river stones.