RockVault
Citrine

Citrine

Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ra%27ike" title="User:Ra'ike">Ra'ike</a> (Wikipedia) (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)

Mineral NameCitrine
Chemical FormulaSiO2
Mohs Hardness7
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.65
Colorsyellow, orange-yellow, brownish-yellow
Transparencytransparent
Type LocalityBrazil, Madagascar, Russia
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, ornamental, collector
Associated Mineralsquartz, feldspar, mica
Rarityuncommon

Description

A cluster of transparent to translucent, yellow to orange-yellow quartz crystals, often forming druzy aggregates or individual points.

Geological Context

Citrine forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks, typically in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and some sedimentary environments. Its color is due to iron impurities, and most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Related Specimens