mineral

Citrine Quartz

Macrocrystalline Quartz (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden-brown; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal system: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to golden-brown
Luster: Vitreous

Identified July 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden-brown; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal system: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.65.

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous and metamorphic environments, specifically in pegmatites or hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine is rare and often forms when amethyst or smoky quartz is subjected to natural geothermal heat over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry, as well as a popular specimen for mineral collectors and practitioners of crystal healing.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare; most commercial citrine is actually heat-treated amethyst. It is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in various cultures.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and yellow color. Often found in riverbeds or mountain ranges. This location in Ethiopia is geologically diverse with volcanic and metamorphic outcrops where quartz varieties are common.