mineral
Citrine Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: pale yellow to brownish orange; Luster: vitreous; Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- pale yellow to brownish orange
- Luster
- vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: pale yellow to brownish orange; Luster: vitreous; Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal; Cleavage: none (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Forms in igneous rocks like pegmatites and in hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine is rare; much commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry as a gemstone, decorative carvings, and sought after by mineral collectors for its metaphysical properties.
Geological facts
Citrine is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone'. It is the birthstone for November. Natural honey-colored citrine is exceptionally rare compared to the burnt-orange heat-treated variety.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage. Found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia. Collectors should check for uniform color distribution, as heat-treated stones often show white bases.
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