Citrine (Heat-Treated)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pale yellow to golden-orange, Luster: Vitreous (glassy), Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formed through the crystallization of silica-rich fluids in igneous rocks like pegmatites or hydrothermal veins. While natural citrine is rare, most commercial citrine (like these specimens) is produced by heat-treating amethyst or smoky quartz to alter the iron impurities, mimicking a process that occurs naturally over geological time.

Primarily used in jewelry, as a healing stone in metaphysical practices, and as a popular collector's item for beginners.

Citrine is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore. Natural citrine lacks the opaque white bases often seen in heat-treated amethyst-citrine and typically exhibits a more uniform, pale yellow-green tint rather than bright orange.

Identify in the field by its hardness (it will scratch glass but cannot be scratched by a steel knife) and lack of cleavage. These tumbled specimens are easily found in gift shops and gem mines. Look for the yellow hue which distinguishes it from clear quartz.