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The Gemstone Citrine

Citrine is the yellow to orange variety of Quartz. Natural Citrine is not common; most Citrine on the gem market is produced by heat treating Amethyst and Smoky Quartz. It takes a relatively low temperature to change the color light to golden yellow, and heating to higher temperatures will give the stone a darker yellow to brownish-red color. The name Citrine is derived from the citron fruit, a yellow fruit similar to the lemon. (In fact, citron means "lemon" in several languages.)

Color

Yellow, Orange, Brown

Hardness

Chemical Formula

SiO₂

Mineral Class

Quartz

Additional Properties

Crystal System
Hexagonal

Refractive Index
1.54 - 1.55

Double Refraction
.009

Transparency
Transparent

SG
2.63 - 2.65

Luster
Vitreous

Cleavage Indiscernible

All About

Most heat treated Citrine takes on a deep orange or slightly reddish tint. In general, the deeper colored stones are the most valuable, including those with reddish tints. Lightly colored yellow Citrine can occur naturally but is rare; the intense yellow form is usually irradiated and given the trade name of "Lemon Quartz".

Citrine is a very affordable gemstone, and all its color ranges are not expensive. It is most often confused with orange-yellow Topaz, which is very similar in color and body. Topaz is the more valuable gemstone, and dealers often sell Citrine labeled as Topaz. Several false trade names for Citrine are "Madeira Topaz", "Gold Topaz", and "Bahia Topaz". However, some fine and rare Citrine gemstones have a pure yellow color that is rarely duplicated by golden Topaz.

Citrine can be found in large crystals, and flawless gems of all sizes have been cut. A natural mixture of purple Amethyst and golden Citrine has been coined with name "Ametrine". (See the Ametrine gemstone page for more details.)

Uses

Citrine is cut into all different types of gems, especially oval and rectangular cuts. It is a very popular pendant stone as flawless stones of many carats are not uncommon. It is used as a centerpiece for rings, and also for earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Lesser quality Citrine combined with white Quartz is also tumbled and used as beads for necklaces and bracelets.

Varieties

Golden Citrine - Citrine with a golden yellow color.
Lemon Quartz - Lemon Quartz is a light to dark yellow Citrine, distinguished from most Citrine by lacking orange, brown, or reddish tints. More often though it is clear Quartz that is irradiated to produce an intensely colored yellow gemstone. Lemon Quartz has recently experienced a popularity increase in the gemstone market.
Madeira Citrine - Brownish-red to orange-red Citrine.
Palmeria Citrine - Citrine with a bright orange color.
Yellow Citrine - Citrine with a lemon yellow color. May also be called "Lemon Citrine" or "Lemon Quartz".

Treatments & Enhancements

Virtually all gem Citrine is not naturally colored, but rather colored from heat treatment of Amethyst. Heating Amethyst at about 750 degrees Fahrenheit will produce a mild yellow color, and heating to about 1700 degrees products deep orange to reddish colors. Most heat treated Citrine has a reddish tint. The intense yellow shades often known as Lemon Quartz are usually formed by irradiation of Quartz. Synthetic Citrine gems are also produced using the hydrothermal method, and these are usually in intensely vivid colors.

Citrine Sources

Brazil is the largest producer of Citrine. Other sources are Argentina, Madagascar, Zaire, Namibia, Spain, and Russia.

Similar Gemstones

Citrine can be difficult to distinguish from yellow and orange Topaz. Citrine may also be confused with yellow Sapphire, which is usually a purer yellow and much harder, and can also be confused with Golden Beryl known as Heliodor. Some Grossular Garnets may also have a similar color to orange-red Citrine.