mineral

Tumbled citrine (yellow quartz)

Quartz, SiO₂; the natural yellow variety is citrine. Heat-treated amethyst is often sold as citrine.

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Mohs hardness 7; transparent to translucent golden-yellow, vitreous luster, trigonal crystal structure, and no true cleavage. The pictured piece is rounded and polished, with internal fractures or inclusions.

Identified October 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Natural citrine forms when trace iron colors quartz during growth in silica-rich cavities, typically in igneous or hydrothermal settings. Quartz deposits span much of geologic time; commercial citrine is commonly heat-treated amethyst.

Uses & applications

Used for jewelry, beads, carvings, and mineral collections; quartz also has broad industrial applications.

Geological facts

Much commercial orange-gold “citrine” is heat-treated amethyst, which can develop a deeper, more uniform orange color.

Field identification & locations

Quartz’s hardness and glassy luster help identify it; citrine is found notably in Brazil, Madagascar, and parts of Africa. A tumbled specimen cannot reliably be distinguished as natural or heat-treated by appearance alone.