mineral

Yellow Quartz or Citrine

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden brown; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pale yellow to golden brown
Luster: Vitreous/glassy

Identified April 5, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pale yellow to golden brown; Luster: Vitreous/glassy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous environments (pegmatites) or hydrothermal veins. Natural citrine is rare and often forms when amethyst or smoky quartz is subjected to high temperatures in the earth. Can be found in rocks from various geological ages.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in jewelry as a gemstone, as well as in decoration, as rough crystal clusters for mineral collectors, and in metaphysical practices.

Geological facts

Most commercial 'citrine' is actually heat-treated amethyst. Natural citrine is dichroic, meaning it can show different colors when viewed from different angles, whereas heat-treated specimens usually are not.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its hardness (will scratch glass) and lack of cleavage. Look for the distinct hexagonal crystal points. Natural specimens are often found in Brazil, Madagascar, and the Ural Mountains of Russia.