mineral

Heat-Treated Citrine (Amethyst Geode Fragment)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with iron impurities

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale. Color: Orange to burnt brown with white/opaque quartz base. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal. Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture). Specific gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Orange to burnt brown with white/opaque quartz base
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified May 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Originally formed as Amethyst in volcanic basalt vugs. Most specimens of this color are created by laboratory or commercial heating of Amethyst to approximately 300-500 degrees Celsius, which changes the oxidation state of iron impurities to produce the orange hue.

Uses & applications

Used primarily for decorative home decor, metaphysical/healing crystal collections, and affordable jewelry focal points.

Geological facts

Natural citrine is rare and usually a pale 'champagne' yellow. The bright orange 'citrine' common in shops is almost always heat-treated amethyst, identifiable by its opaque white base and concentrated color at the tips.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for a 'root' of white quartz and a deep burnt-orange color at the crystal tips. Commonly sourced from large amethyst mines in Brazil and Uruguay. It will scratch glass but cannot be scratched by a steel knife.

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