Great citrine twin crystal with smoky quartz phantoms and rainbow inclusions

A polished citrine twin crystal in an intense lemon-gold hue, with clearly visible smoky quartz phantoms and rainbow inclusions inside.

The twin formation occurs when two crystal axes grow from a common root point in different directions but mirror each other on a plane of symmetry. This is a rare growth habit that only forms under very specific mineralization conditions.

The smoky quartz phantoms document earlier growth stages where the material grew without iron irradiation color centers. Only later did the citrine phase with its characteristic golden coloration occur.

The rainbow inclusions are created by tiny fracture surfaces that break light down into its spectral components. As the crystal is rotated, an iridescent arc of light moves across the view.

Citrine belongs to the quartz family. The warm golden-yellow color is caused by trace iron elements in the crystal lattice under natural irradiation over millennia.

A collector's item of the highest class with a triple optical effect: twin formation, phantom inclusion, rainbow reflection.