mineral

Citrine

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Fe3+ impurities

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

Identified July 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

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

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous or metamorphic environments, typically in pegmatites or hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine is rare and often forms when amethyst or smoky quartz is subjected to high temperatures within the earth.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry as a gemstone, for decorative lapidary work, and among collectors for its metaphysical associations with prosperity.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare; most commercial citrine is actually heat-treated amethyst. It is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' and is the birthstone for November.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and yellow color. Found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia. Note that uniform yellow color frequently indicates heat treatment.