How to identify Mixed Gemstone Beads (Citrine, Fluorite, Aquamarine)

To correctly identify Mixed Gemstone Beads (Citrine, Fluorite, Aquamarine) (Quartz (Citrine variety), Fluorite, Beryl (Aquamarine variety)), check each of these features in order. Many rocks and minerals look alike, so cross-reference multiple properties before deciding.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Color

   Overall color and any zoning or banding

   Citrine: Yellow to orange-brown. Fluorite: Highly variable, including purple, green, blue, yellow, pink, and colorless. Aquamarine: Pale blue to blue-green. The mixed beads will display a combination of these colors.

2. 2

   Luster

   How the surface reflects light: metallic, vitreous, dull

   Citrine: Vitreous. Fluorite: Vitreous. Aquamarine: Vitreous.

3. 3

   Texture

   Grain size and surface feel: coarse, fine, glassy

   Smooth and polished due to bead processing. Natural crystal forms would be prismatic (Citrine, Aquamarine) or cubic/octahedral (Fluorite).

4. 4

   Crystal Form

   Shape of visible crystals or crystal faces

   As beads, they are typically rounded, faceted, or tumbled. Original crystal forms are: * **Citrine:** Hexagonal prisms with pyramidal terminations. * **Fluorite:** Cubic, octahedral, or dodecahedral crystals. * **Aquamarine:** Hexagonal prisms.

5. 5

   Cleavage

   How it breaks: flat cleavage planes vs irregular fracture

   Citrine: None (conchoidal fracture). Fluorite: Perfect octahedral cleavage in four directions. Aquamarine: Imperfect basal cleavage.

6. 6

   Geological Environment

   The rock formation and setting where it occurs

   These minerals originate from diverse geological settings: * **Citrine:** Hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, igneous and metamorphic rocks. * **Fluorite:** Hydrothermal veins, sedimentary rocks, some igneous rocks. * **Aquamarine:** Granitic pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, metamorphic rocks.

Key Facts

Hardness

Citrine: 7 (Mohs). Fluorite: 4 (Mohs). Aquamarine: 7.5-8 (Mohs).

Specific Gravity

Citrine: 2.65. Fluorite: 3.18. Aquamarine: 2.68-2.80.

Crystal System

Citrine: Trigonal. Fluorite: Isometric. Aquamarine: Hexagonal.

Color

Citrine: Yellow to orange-brown. Fluorite: Highly variable (purple, green, blue, yellow, etc.). Aquamarine: Pale blue to blue-green.

Luster

Vitreous.

Transparency

Transparent to translucent.

Fracture

Citrine: Conchoidal. Fluorite: Subconchoidal to uneven. Aquamarine: Conchoidal to uneven.

Cleavage

Citrine: None. Fluorite: Perfect octahedral (4 directions). Aquamarine: Imperfect basal.

Composition

Citrine: Silicon dioxide (SiO2). Fluorite: Calcium fluoride (CaF2). Aquamarine: Beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate (Be3Al2Si6O18).

Physical characteristics

• Crystal Habit: As beads, they are shaped. Natural habits: Citrine (prismatic), Fluorite (cubic/octahedral), Aquamarine (prismatic).
• Cleavage Type: Citrine: None. Fluorite: Perfect octahedral. Aquamarine: Imperfect basal.
• Fracture Type: Citrine: Conchoidal. Fluorite: Subconchoidal to uneven. Aquamarine: Conchoidal to uneven.
• Tenacity: Citrine: Brittle. Fluorite: Brittle. Aquamarine: Brittle.
• Luster Type: Vitreous.

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