mineral
Citrine (Tumbled Quartz)
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden yellow; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: ~2.65.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pale yellow to golden yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden yellow; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: ~2.65.
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine derives its color from trace amounts of iron ions built into the quartz crystal lattice under geological heat.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry (rings, pendants, beads), lapidary art, wire-wrapping, and as a popular gemstone specimen for crystal collections.
Geological facts
Natural pale yellow citrine is relatively rare in nature; much of the dark orange commercial citrine is created by heat-treating amethyst or smoky quartz.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its Mohs hardness of 7 (scratches glass), glass-like transparency, conchoidal fracture, and pale yellow hue. Found in Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, and Zambia.
