mineral
Citrine (Raw)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
- Hardness
- 7 Mohs
- Color
- Pale yellow to golden honey
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
Identified More mineral →
Explore Citrine (Raw) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 Mohs; Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Citrine is a variety of quartz that develops its yellow color from colloidal iron hydroxides or ferric iron. It forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks, particularly in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine is rare; many commercial specimens are heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.
Uses & applications
Mainly used as a gemstone in jewelry, for ornamental carvings, and by crystal collectors for its aesthetic and perceived metaphysical properties. It is also the birthstone for November.
Geological facts
Natural citrine is much rarer than its namesake, heat-treated amethyst. When amethyst is heated to about 482°C (900°F), it turns into a vibrant orange-yellow color often sold as 'citrine'. Natural citrine is usually a much paler, smoky yellow.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and yellow color. In the field, look for hexagonal prismatic crystals in quartz veins. Common sources include Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.
More like this
Other mineral specimens
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Schist
Schist
Metamorphic
Sandstone with Mineral Veining or Crust
Sedimentary Sandstone (mostly SiO2 with Fe2O3 tinting)
sedimentary
Potassium Feldspar (Orthoclase)
Orthoclase (KAlSi3O8)
mineral
Gypsum (variety Selenite or Alabaster)
Calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O)
Mineral
Nephrite Jade
Nephrite
Mineral/Rock