mineral

Citrine

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to golden honey
Luster: Vitreous

Identified July 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden honey; Luster: Vitreous; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (Trigonal); Cleavage: None (Conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Citrine is a variety of quartz that forms in igneous environments (pegmatites) or hydrothermal veins. While natural citrine forms from geothermal heat, many commercial specimens are heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in jewelry, as a decorative collector specimen, and in holistic practices as a 'stone of manifestation' or 'success stone'.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare; most 'citrine' in the market is actually heat-treated Brazilian amethyst, which takes on a deep orange-burnt hue, whereas natural citrine is typically a pale, lemony yellow.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage. In the field, look for hexagonal crystal points and clarity. Common locations include Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.