mineral

Yellow Quartz or Citrine Geode/Cluster

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Pale yellow to golden honey
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes or within volcanic geodes where silica-rich fluids permeate rock cavities and crystallize over long periods as the rock cools. These colors often result from trace amounts of iron or natural radiation.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in lapidary work for jewelry, as metaphysical healing crystals, and as display specimens for private collectors and museums.

Geological facts

Naturally occurring golden citrine is quite rare; much of the yellow quartz on the market is actually heat-treated amethyst. Quartz is the most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage (breaks with conchoidal fractures). Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and the Ural Mountains in Russia. Look for hexagonal crystal points and glassy luster inside vugs.

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