mineral

Citrine quartz crystal

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂); yellow variety commonly called citrine

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; transparent to translucent yellow, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal structure, and poor-to-indistinct cleavage with conchoidal fracture. The crystal appears naturally or artificially colored and may have a modified/prismatic termination.

Identified August 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Natural citrine forms when iron-bearing quartz develops yellow coloration during hydrothermal or pegmatitic growth; much commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst. Quartz ranges from Precambrian to recent, depending on its host rock.

Uses & applications

Used as a gemstone, ornamental crystal, and collector specimen; quartz is also important industrially in glass, electronics, ceramics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is relatively uncommon; orange-brown “Madeira” citrine is especially prized. Heat-treated amethyst often shows deeper orange color and a sharply contrasting white base.

Field identification & locations

Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, Zambia, Spain, and Uruguay. Identify it by hardness, glassy luster, hexagonal/prismatic habit, and lack of cleavage; it should scratch glass but not be scratched by a steel blade.