mineral

Citrine Quartz

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Pale yellow to golden honey or brownish-orange. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal). Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to golden honey or brownish-orange
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 17, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in igneous rocks like pegmatites or in hydrothermal veins through the precipitation of silica-rich fluids. Natural citrine is rare; many commercial specimens are heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. Most formed during various geological eras dependent on regional tectonic activity.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone in jewelry (rings, pendants, earrings), as carvings, and as a popular specimen for mineral collectors and practitioners of holistic healing.

Geological facts

Citrine is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore. Natural citrine lacks the opaque white base often found in heat-treated amethyst 'citrine.' It is the birthstone for November.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its hardness (scratches glass), glassy luster, and lack of cleavage. Common locations include Brazil (largest producer), Madagascar, Russia, and Spain. Look for transparency and consistent golden hue.