Citrine Vs. Quartz

Citrine is a very popular gemstone composed of silicon dioxide.^[1] Quartz is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is also silicon dioxide.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Citrine and Quartz

For a quick recap of the differences citrine and quartz:

• While both citrine and quartz is transparent, quartz can be opaque or translucent.
• While both citrine and quartz is vitreous, in terms of luster, quartz can be greasy or waxy.
• Citrine can be commonly orange while quartz can be commonly red or yellow.
• Citrine's rarity is more rare than quartz.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Citrine and Quartz

The similarities of citrine and quartz include:

• In terms of crystallography, citrine and quartz both can be hexagonal or trigonal.
• For chemical formulas, citrine and quartz both are SiO2.
• Citrine and quartz both streak white.
• Citrine's hardness is similar to quartz - they both are 7 on the Moh's scale.
• Citrine's specific gravity overlaps with quartz - citrine is 2.651 and quartz ranges from 2.651 to 2.91.

Summary of Citrine

Citrine is a variety of quartz, which is a mineral that is widely distributed throughout the world. It is a yellow to brownish-orange color and is often used in jewelry and decorative objects. Citrine is often referred to as the "healing quartz" due to its purported ability to promote mental clarity, emotional stability, and physical well-being.

Summary of Quartz

Quartz is a mineral that is composed of silicon and oxygen atoms arranged in a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon-oxygen tetrahedra. It is one of the most abundant minerals found in the Earth's crust. Quartz can be found in a variety of colors such as white, pink, purple, brown, gray, and black. It is also known for its unique crystal structure, which is hexagonal in shape, and its hardness, which is 7 on the Mohs scale.

Table Comparison of Citrine vs Quartz