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Geosciences LibreTexts

16.5.3: Citrine

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Citrine
Chemical composition Silicon dioxide SiO2
Crystal system Trigonal
Habit Prismatic
Cleavage Poor
Fracture Conchoidal
Hardness 7
Optic nature Uniaxial +
Refractive index 1.544 - 1.553
Birefringence 0.009
Dispersion Low, 0.013
Specific gravity 2.63 - 2.65
Lustre Vitreous
Pleochroism Weak to distinct

File:Citrine rough and cut.jpg

Figure 16.5.3.1: Citrine oval faceted on Madiera Citrine Crystals.
Photo courtesy of Barbra Voltaire

Citrine is a yellow or golden variety of quartz. Most citrine available today is heat-treated amethyst. When amethyst is heated to about 482.2 degrees Celsius, it alters to a golden tone. Citrine has been credited with curing urinary tract infections, jaundice and kidney ailments. This is obviously a color association.


This page titled 16.5.3: Citrine is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by gemology via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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