gemstone

Tumbled citrine quartz

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂); citrine is yellow iron-related quartz

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; translucent yellow to honey color, vitreous luster, granular/inclusion-rich interior, and conchoidal fracture. Quartz is trigonal and lacks cleavage; the rounded shape is human-tumbled.

Identified September 11, 2026More gemstone →

Explore Tumbled citrine quartz in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms mainly in hydrothermal veins and cavities of igneous rocks, commonly as heat-treated amethyst or naturally yellow quartz; quartz spans much of Earth’s geologic history. This small polished piece cannot establish a precise age or natural-versus-treated origin.

Uses & applications

Used as an inexpensive gemstone, ornamental tumbled stone, and collector specimen; quartz is also important in glass, ceramics, electronics, and abrasives.

Geological facts

Commercial “citrine” is frequently heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, often producing stronger orange tones than natural citrine.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its yellow quartz appearance, glassy luster, hardness, and lack of cleavage; natural citrine commonly occurs in Brazil, Madagascar, Zambia, Spain, and the United States. The image alone cannot confirm citrine rather than yellow chalcedony or glass.