Citrine
| Also known as | Quartz (Quartz family) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Yellow, Orange, Green, Red |
| Mohs hardness | 7 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | Silica (silicon dioxide, SiO) |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 |
What is Citrine?
Citrine is a transparent, yellow variety of quartz. Its name is derived from the Latin word citrus, by way of the French citrin or citron (lemon). Citrine is one of the most popular yellow gemstones and has been used since ancient Egyptian times. There is disagreement as to which trace elements are responsible for its color. Not all yellow quartz is considered citrine, such as quartz stained by iron inclusions or coatings. Natural citrine is rare; most commercially available "citrine" is produced by heating amethyst or smoky quartz.
How to identify Citrine
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 7 — hard enough to scratch glass.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Trigonal crystal system.
Citrine in different forms
Stones often confused with Citrine
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Citrine?
Citrine is Mohs 7 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Citrine?
Citrine is typically yellow, orange, green, red (Natural: pale yellow, with orange, green, or smoky hues Heat-treated amethyst: yellow-orange, orange-red, orange-brown).