16.5.3: Citrine
- Page ID
- 4088
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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 |

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): 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.


