mineral
Tumbled citrine quartz
Quartz (SiO₂), likely pale citrine or heat-treated amethyst
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 7; translucent pale yellow to honey-colored, with vitreous luster and hexagonal crystal structure. No cleavage; fractures conchoidally. The rounded shape and polish indicate tumbling.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 7; translucent pale yellow to honey-colored, with vitreous luster and hexagonal crystal structure. No cleavage; fractures conchoidally. The rounded shape and polish indicate tumbling.
Formation & geological history
Quartz forms in silica-rich hydrothermal veins and cavities as fluids cool; natural citrine coloration commonly develops from trace iron and radiation over geological time. Commercial yellow quartz may be heat-treated amethyst.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, decorative objects, and mineral collections; tumbled stones are commonly sold as pocket stones.
Geological facts
Citrine is quartz colored yellow to orange; natural citrine is less common than heat-treated material marketed under that name.
Field identification & locations
Quartz’s glassy luster, hardness, and lack of cleavage help identify it; color alone cannot establish whether citrine is natural or treated. Quartz occurs worldwide, including Brazil, Madagascar, and the Alps.
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