mineral

Citrine

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

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

Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Color: Pale yellow to golden honey
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified March 23, 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 hydrothermal veins or as a primary mineral in igneous rocks like granites and pegmatites. Naturally occurring citrine is rare; many commercial specimens are heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Uses & applications

Primary use is in jewelry as a semi-precious gemstone. It is also a popular collector's mineral and used in metaphysical practices (the 'merchant's stone').

Geological facts

Natural citrine gets its color from trace amounts of iron. It is one of the birthstones for November. Historically, it was integrated into Scottish dagger handles and 19th-century Art Deco jewelry.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (scratches glass), lack of cleavage, and yellow transparency. Found commonly in Brazil, Madagascar, Spain, and Russia. Collectors look for clarity and depth of color.