mineral

Tumbled citrine or yellow quartz

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂); likely iron-colored citrine, possibly heat-treated amethyst

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Translucent honey-yellow material with vitreous luster and conchoidal fracture; quartz is Mohs 7, trigonal crystal structure, no cleavage, and specific gravity about 2.65. Internal cloudy zones and fractures are typical of tumbled quartz.

Identified September 12, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Quartz forms in hydrothermal veins and cavities in igneous or metamorphic rocks; natural citrine is uncommon and generally forms at elevated temperatures over geologic time. Much commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst, commonly from Brazil, Madagascar, or Uruguay.

Uses & applications

Used as a decorative tumbled stone, lapidary material, and gemstone in jewelry; attractive transparent pieces have modest collector value.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is usually pale champagne to golden yellow, while heat-treated material is often deeper orange with reddish tips. A photo cannot reliably distinguish natural from treated citrine.

Field identification & locations

Identify by hardness, glassy luster, lack of cleavage, and inability to scratch it with a steel knife; quartz should scratch ordinary glass. Common localities include Brazil, Madagascar, Spain, Russia, and the United States.