mineral

Citrine or Yellow Quartz Pebble

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Pale yellow to honey-orange; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None; Conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 Mohs
Color: Pale yellow to honey-orange
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Pale yellow to honey-orange; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None; Conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Typically forms as a variety of quartz in igneous (pegmatites) or metamorphic rocks; yellow color often results from heat-treated iron impurities. Common in riverbeds as rounded pebbles.

Uses & applications

Used in jewelry, crystal healing practices, and as a decorative stone or collector specimen.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare; most commercial citrine is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. It is known as the 'Success Stone' in crystal folklore.

Field identification & locations

Identify by hardness (it will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Found globally, specifically in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia. Look for smooth, translucent yellow water-worn pebbles.