Citrine
Image: Jarno from Rotterdam, Netherlands (CC BY 2.0)
Mineral NameCitrine
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorsyellow, lemon yellow, golden yellow
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBrazil
Mineral Groupsilicates
Usesjewelry, collector, ornamental
Associated Mineralsfeldspar, mica, tourmaline, amethyst
Rarityuncommon
Description
A large, transparent, lemon-yellow piece of citrine, exhibiting a glassy luster and characteristic conchoidal fracture surfaces.
Geological Context
Citrine is a variety of quartz that forms in igneous rocks such as granites and pegmatites, as well as in hydrothermal veins. Its yellow to golden-brown color is typically caused by ferric iron impurities within the quartz crystal lattice, often enhanced by natural or artificial heat treatment of amethyst or smoky quartz.
