mineral
Citrine
Silicon Dioxide (Quartz variety), SiO2
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, pale yellow to brownish-orange color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, pale yellow to brownish-orange color, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture with no true cleavage, specific gravity of 2.65.
Formation & geological history
Forms naturally through the irradiation and heating of low-grade amethyst or smoky quartz containing trace amounts of iron, often found in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a gemstone in jewelry, decorative items, and historically believed to possess metaphysical properties.
Geological facts
Natural citrine is relatively rare; most commercial citrine on the market is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.
Field identification & locations
Can be identified by its yellow to orange color and quartz hardness, commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.
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