mineral

Heat-Treated Citrine

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: golden orange to reddish-brown; Luster: vitreous; Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal; no cleavage, conchoidal fracture.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: golden orange to reddish-brown
Luster: vitreous

Identified July 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: golden orange to reddish-brown; Luster: vitreous; Crystal structure: hexagonal/trigonal; no cleavage, conchoidal fracture.

Formation & geological history

Formed by artificially heating natural amethyst crystals (purple quartz) to high temperatures (approx. 300-500 degrees C) to change the iron oxidation state from purple to orange. Most commercially available citrine is produced this way.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, as decorative display specimens, and in metaphysical/crystal healing practices as a 'stone of abundance'.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is quite rare and usually a pale sunny yellow, whereas heat-treated amethyst (like this specimen) typically displays a more intense, 'burnt' orange color and a white, opaque base where it was attached to the geode wall.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for small, concentrated clusters (druzy) and a white base. Authentic natural citrine usually grows in long individual points rather than geode-like clusters. Common sources for these heat-treated pieces are Brazil and Uruguay.