Lilac lavender to deep royal purple, often with angular color zoning aligned with rhombohedral crystal faces.
Chemical formula
SiO₂ + Fe³⁺/Fe⁴⁺ color centersPale yellow, honey gold, to warm Madeira orange-brown.
| Mineral Family | Quartz |
|---|---|
| Mineral Species | Macrocrystalline Quartz |
| Gemological Variety | Citrine |
| Chemical Composition | SiO₂ + Fe³⁺ |
| Crystal System | Trigonal |
| Mohs Hardness | 7.0 Mohs |
| Specific Gravity | 2.65 |
| Refractive Index | 1.544 – 1.553 |
Pale yellow, honey gold, to warm Madeira orange-brown.
Natural unheated citrine forms in hydrothermal veins and granitic pegmatites; much commercial citrine is produced by heating amethyst or smoky quartz.
Unheated natural citrine crystals with smoky-golden zoning are considerably rarer than heat-treated material and prized by collectors.
Durable Mohs 7 gemstone suited for statement rings, pendants, and warm-toned gold settings.
Heat treatment of amethyst to produce citrine is very common in the trade and must be transparently distinguished from natural unheated citrine.
Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush; avoid sudden thermal shock.
Historically referred to as the 'Merchant's Stone', symbolizing warmth, abundance, and creativity. November birthstone.
Note: Cultural and birthstone traditions are presented strictly as historical folklore, never as scientifically verified medical or metaphysical effects.
Lilac lavender to deep royal purple, often with angular color zoning aligned with rhombohedral crystal faces.
SiO₂ + Fe³⁺/Fe⁴⁺ color centers
Soft pastel pink to rose pink, typically translucent to milky with gentle internal light scattering (sometimes showing asterism...
SiO₂ + microscopic borosilicate (dumortierite-type) nanofibers
Translucent smoky tan and cognac brown to nearly opaque black (known mineralogically as 'Morion').
SiO₂ + Al³⁺ color centers activated by natural background radiationPopular searches