Citrine

Real mineral · common · SiO₂

Yellow quartz coloured by ferric iron impurities. Natural citrine is rare; most commercial specimens are heat-treated amethyst. Forms in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal quartz veins.

Identity

Formula

SiO₂

Chemical class

silicate

Mineral group

Amethyst, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Quartz, Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, Tiger's Eye

Also known as

Yellow quartz, Topaz quartz (misnomer)

Crystallography

Crystal system

trigonal

Habits

prismatic, massive

Fracture

conchoidal

Physical properties

Mohs hardness

7

Density

2.65 g/cm³

Luster

vitreous

Colors

yellow, orange-yellow, brownish yellow

Streak

white

Transparency

transparent, translucent

Geology

Origins

hydrothermal, igneous

Host rocks

granite, pegmatite

Associated minerals

Amethyst, Quartz, feldspar

Geography

Brazil, Spain, Madagascar, USA

Classification

Rarity

common

Gem quality

Yes

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