mineral

Citrine

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Yellow to brownish-orange; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Yellow to brownish-orange
Luster: Vitreous

Identified April 25, 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 brownish-orange; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous or metamorphic rocks like pegmatites and granites. Most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Uses & applications

Primary use in jewelry as a gemstone and for crystal healing/metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is very rare. It is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in various cultures and is the birthstone for November.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its yellow-orange hue and lack of cleavage. Look for even color distribution in natural stones versus reddish tint in heat-treated pieces.

Other mineral specimens

See all

Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)

Arenite (SiO2 based)

sedimentary

Schist

Metamorphic

Epidote

Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)

metamorphic

Nephrite Jade

Nephrite

Mineral/Rock

Banded Gneiss (River Rock/Pebble)

Gneiss (specifically a banded variety often found as a river rock)

Metamorphic Rock

Green Apatite on Albite

Fluorapatite [Ca5(PO4)3F] on Albite [Na(AlSi3O8)]

mineral