mineral
Citrine Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow to honey-brown; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Yellow to honey-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Yellow to honey-brown; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous environments (pegmatites) or hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine is rare and often forms when amethyst or smoky quartz is naturally heated by geothermal heat.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry as a gemstone, as well as by collectors and in metaphysical practices.
Geological facts
Natural citrine is quite rare; most 'commercial' citrine is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz which turns yellow-orange when baked in a kiln.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), glass-like luster, and absence of cleavage planes. Found in major quartz deposits in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.
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Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Calcite–fluorite mineral specimen with iron-oxide staining
Calcite (CaCO₃), likely fluorite (CaF₂), with possible quartz and iron/manganese oxides
mineral
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Septarian Pebble
Septarian nodule / Concretion
sedimentary