mineral

Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pale yellow to golden honey-orange, Luster: Vitreous/Glassy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Identified June 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pale yellow to golden honey-orange, Luster: Vitreous/Glassy, Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal, Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Naturally formed through the hydrothermal deposit of silica-rich fluids or the low-grade metamorphism of quartz. Most commercial citrine is created by heating amethyst or smoky quartz to temperatures between 470°C and 560°C.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in the jewelry industry for rings and necklaces, as a healing crystal in metaphysical circles, and for decorative mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare in nature compared to other quartz varieties. It is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore. The yellow color is caused by trace amounts of colloidal iron hydroxide.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its characteristic yellow hue and hardness (can scratch glass). Natural citrine is often found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia. Unlike heat-treated specimens which often have white bases, natural citrine is uniformly colored through the crystal.