mineral

Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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

Identified July 12, 2026More mineral →

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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.