mineral
Yellow Quartz / Citrine Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous/glassy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, warm yellowish-orange to honey color with translucent internal fractures.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 7 on Mohs scale, vitreous/glassy luster, trigonal crystal system, conchoidal fracture, warm yellowish-orange to honey color with translucent internal fractures.
Formation & geological history
Formed in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, and metamorphic rocks. Iron impurities within the macrocrystalline quartz lattice give it its distinct yellow-orange color.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stones, in lapidary work, tumbled specimens, wire-wrapping, metaphysical practices, and jewelry.
Geological facts
Natural citrine is relatively rare, so many dark orange-yellow specimens on the market are heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. Tumbled yellow quartz is a favorite among beginners for rock tumbling.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its glass-like clarity with minor internal frostings/fractures, scratch resistance against steel (Mohs 7), and absence of cleavage planes. Widely found in Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia.
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Other mineral specimens
Gneiss or Schist
Gneiss or Mica Schist with Garnet
Metamorphic
Sandstone (with potential mineral staining/concretions)
Arenite (SiO2 based)
sedimentary
Tumbled granite
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic intrusive igneous rock
igneous
Epidote
Epidote | Ca2(Al2,Fe3+)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH)
metamorphic
Pegmatite with Tourmaline and Quartz
Igneous Pegmatite
igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic intrusive igneous rock)
igneous