mineral

Citrine

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) - yellow quartz variety

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale yellow to golden orange, sometimes brownish; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

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

Identified April 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the heat-treatment of amethyst or smoky quartz in volcanic environments, or naturally occurring where groundwater interacts with iron-bearing silica solutions in hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine is rare.

Uses & applications

Primary use is in jewelry as a semi-precious gemstone. Also popular in gemstone collecting, crystal healing practices, and as a decorative birthstone (November).

Geological facts

Natural citrine is very rare; most citrine on the market is actually heat-treated amethyst. It is known as the 'Merchant's Stone' because it is historically associated with wealth and prosperity.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its yellow to honey-orange hue and lack of cleavage. In the field, look for quartz crystals in hydrothermal veins. Note that natural citrine lacks the opaque white bases often seen in heat-treated amethyst cathedral geodes.

Other mineral specimens

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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