mineral
Citrine Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Pale yellow to golden brown; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 Mohs
- Color
- Pale yellow to golden brown
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Pale yellow to golden brown; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks, particularly pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. Often occurs when purple amethyst is naturally heated by geothermal activity.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry, as well as for metaphysical collections and interior decoration.
Geological facts
Citrine is often called the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore. Natural citrine is actually quite rare; most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. In the field, look for hexagonal prisms in crystal pockets of igneous terrain. Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.
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Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Nephrite Jade
Nephrite
Mineral/Rock