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Lemon yellow to golden yellow to orange-brown |
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Citrine is a unique member of the quartz family. |
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Most citrine is mined in Brazil, particularly the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The Serra and Iraâ mines produce hundreds of kilos of rough every month. |
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Usually free of eye-visible inclusions |
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Citrine is generally more affordable than amethyst, its quartz cousin. Like all quartz gems, citrine is relatively plentiful and is available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, including very large sizes.
For extra brilliance, many citrines are polished into Radial Cuts™, which have clever curved facets that focus light like lenses.
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Ovals, cushions, checkerboards, round brilliants, trillions, princess cuts, and opposed bars. |
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Much citrine starts its life as pale amethyst that is heated to remove the purple and develop its sunny yellow tones. |
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In ancient times, citrine was carried as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts. Named from the French name for lemon, citron, most citrines have a light lemony color. Sunny and affordable, citrine blends especially well with the yellow gleam of polished gold. |
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The hardness of citrine is 7 on the Mohs scale and it is quite tough. |
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Citrine is very durable but try to avoid exposure to heat. Clean with warm water, detergent, and a soft brush. Citrine can be put in ultrasonic or steam cleaners. |
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$20 to $100 per carat |
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Sometimes you will hear citrine referred to as topaz quartz. Many yellow gems have been called topaz over the years. Since topaz is a separate mineral, the industry has ruled to eliminate this name as confusing and misleading. However, citrine is still considered an alternative to topaz as the birthstone for November. |
