mineral
Citrine Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, honey, or brownish-yellow; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Yellow, honey, or brownish-yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale; Color: Yellow, honey, or brownish-yellow; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins and igneous rocks (pegmatites). While natural citrine is rare and results from traces of iron in the quartz lattice, many commercial pieces are heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry (faceting and cabochons), crystal healing, and as a popular collector's mineral.
Geological facts
Citrine is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore. Natural citrine is pale yellow, whereas deep orange versions are typically heat-treated by humans to mimic the rare orange variety.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Look for internal fractures and iron staining. Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous