Where is Citrine found?
Quartz (SiO2) variety
Got a photo? Identify rocks instantly with the Rockby app
Open the appCitrine occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Citrine
Brazil
The leading producer of both natural and heat-treated citrine, particularly from the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais. Many large amethyst geodes are heat-treated to produce citrine.
Uruguay
Known for high-quality amethyst, much of which is heat-treated to produce citrine.
Madagascar
Produces natural citrine, often with a distinctive smoky-yellow to orange-brown color.
Russia (Ural Mountains)
Historically a source of natural citrine.
Spain
Some natural citrine occurrences, particularly in the Sierra de la Cabrera.
France
Minor occurrences of natural citrine.
Collecting tips
- Look for Quartz Environments. Search in areas known for quartz deposits, such as pegmatites, granitic intrusions, and hydrothermal veins. Riverbeds and alluvial deposits can also yield water-worn citrine pebbles.
- Distinguish from Heat-Treated Amethyst. Natural citrine often has a paler, more uniform yellow color. Heat-treated amethyst (often sold as citrine) tends to have a more intense orange or reddish-brown hue, sometimes with white bases or a 'burnt' appearance at crystal tips. Natural citrine is also less common and generally more expensive.
- Check for Inclusions. Like other quartz varieties, citrine can contain various inclusions, such as rutile needles ('rutilated citrine'), liquid inclusions, or growth patterns. These can help confirm its natural origin, though heat-treated material can also have inclusions.
- Hardness Test. Citrine, being quartz, has a Mohs hardness of 7. It will scratch glass and steel, but will not be scratched by them. This helps differentiate it from softer yellow minerals.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Yellow to orange-brown
- Luster:
- Vitreous (glassy)
- Streak:
- White
Explore Citrine
Identify rocks anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.