Citrine Cluster Natural Mineral Specimen from Morocco with Certificate of Authenticity

Description

Natural Citrine Cluster Mineral Specimen from Morocco

This exquisite Natural Citrine Cluster is a genuine quartz crystal formation from Morocco, known for producing some of the most visually striking mineral specimens in the world. The photo shows the exact specimen you will receive, and the scale cube = 1cm provides accurate size reference. Each cluster is carefully chosen for its radiant golden-yellow hue, brilliant crystal terminations, and natural aesthetic appeal. This piece represents both the geological beauty and mineralogical diversity of Morocco’s quartz-rich environments.

Geological Formation and Mineral Composition

Citrine is a naturally occurring variety of Quartz (SiO₂) that derives its distinctive yellow to golden-orange colour from trace amounts of iron impurities within the crystal lattice. During crystal growth, iron (Fe³⁺) substitutes for silicon within the quartz structure. When exposed to natural heat or radiation within the Earth’s crust, these iron atoms alter the crystal’s energy state, producing the vibrant yellow colouration for which Citrine is prized.

This specimen formed in hydrothermal veins and geodes, where silica-rich fluids circulated through cavities in volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Over time, the slow cooling of these fluids allowed the formation of prismatic quartz crystals that radiate outward from a central base. Moroccan deposits are particularly known for producing clusters with excellent transparency and deep golden tones.

Citrine belongs to the trigonal crystal system and typically forms six-sided prisms terminated by pyramidal crystal faces. It has a Mohs hardness of 7, a vitreous lustre, and is semi-transparent to transparent, often exhibiting internal inclusions that enhance its natural beauty.

Locality and Geological Context

This specimen originates from the Atlas Mountain region of Morocco, an area rich in quartz-bearing veins and hydrothermal mineralisation. The Moroccan landscape, shaped by ancient tectonic activity, volcanic episodes, and extensive sedimentary layering, provides ideal geological conditions for the formation of quartz minerals, including amethyst, smoky quartz, and citrine.

Citrine clusters from Morocco often occur within Triassic to Jurassic sedimentary formations, where silica-rich solutions deposited quartz crystals in cavities formed by gas pockets in volcanic rock or fractures within limestone beds. Over millions of years, these cavities became filled with spectacular clusters like this one, capturing a moment of crystallisation in time.

Physical and Aesthetic Characteristics

This Natural Citrine Cluster showcases an array of sharply terminated quartz crystals arranged in radiating formations, with each crystal reflecting light through multiple facets. The golden-yellow tones range from pale honey to deep amber, depending on the iron concentration and the crystal’s exposure to natural geological heating.

The crystal faces exhibit a glass-like lustre, and the cluster structure allows for captivating light dispersion. Under direct illumination, the specimen glows with a warm inner radiance, making it both scientifically fascinating and visually striking. These natural citrine formations are often mistaken for heat-treated amethyst, but genuine Moroccan citrine is naturally coloured and identifiable by its subtle gradients, mineral inclusions, and earthy base tones.

The base of the cluster retains traces of its host rock matrix, often composed of chalcedony or fine-grained quartz, providing structural stability and aesthetic contrast to the gleaming citrine points above.

Scientific and Collectible Significance

Citrine has long fascinated both geologists and collectors. From a geological perspective, it is a testament to the intricate interplay between mineral chemistry, temperature, and pressure that governs crystal formation deep within the Earth. Each cluster is a naturally occurring record of geochemical processes that span millions of years.

Collectors value Moroccan Citrine for its purity, natural colour, and durability. Its bright, golden hue and lustrous crystal surfaces make it a sought-after specimen for display, while its scientific value lies in its pristine mineralogical preservation and regional significance within North African geology.

Authenticity and Provenance

All of our specimens are 100% genuine and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity verifying their natural origin and mineral classification. Each Citrine Cluster is hand-selected for clarity, colour balance, and overall aesthetic quality.

This Natural Citrine Cluster from Morocco is an authentic mineral masterpiece — a radiant union of science, geology, and natural beauty, capturing the essence of Earth’s crystalline artistry in its purest form.