mineral
Citrine Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pale yellow to golden-orange, Luster: Vitreous, Crystal structure: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale), Color: Pale yellow to golden-orange, Luster: Vitreous, Crystal structure: Trigonal (hexagonal prisms), Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture), Specific Gravity: 2.65
Formation & geological history
Formed in igneous or metamorphic environments when amethyst or smoky quartz is naturally heated by geothermal processes. Most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in jewelry (rings, pendants), as a birthstone for November, and in crystal healing collections.
Geological facts
Natural citrine is quite rare in nature. The name is derived from the Old French word 'citrin', meaning lemon. It is known as the 'Success Stone' or 'Merchant's Stone' in folklore.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its hardness (scratches glass) and lack of cleavage. It is commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia. Natural citrine lacks the intense reddish-orange tips often seen in heat-treated amethyst.
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