Learn About Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
Citrine
- Quartz
- 7 Mohs
- Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November Birthstone
Round
Pear
Oval
Round
Pear
OvalOverview
Citrine, a cherished member of the quartz family, is perhaps the most frequently purchased yellow gemstone. Its name has been derived from the citron fruit, which resembles a large lemon.
Citrine owes its captivating sunny shades to the presence of iron. This alluring gemstone is available in hues that range from pale yellow and golden-orange to reddish-brown. Currently, the majority of citrine gemstones available in the market are actually other varieties of quartz (amethyst, smoky quartz) that are heat treated to get the desired golden-yellow color.
1. Key Origin
- Natural citrine is not common, and Brazil is its leading manufacturer in the world.
- Other important sources include Uruguay, Scotland, Madagascar, Spain, USA and Russia.
2. Associations
- Cherished since ancient times, citrine is said to bring success and prosperity to the wearer.
- Owing to these properties, it is also called the ''success stone''.
- Citrine is believed to attract abundance in all fields, especially business.
Properties
Rated 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
The golden-yellow variety of quartz, citrine, exhibits a remarkable luster and sparkles brilliantly when cut. It has been given a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness and is fairly resistant to scratches and durable enough for use in jewelry. Radiant and affordable, citrine is also a popular alternative to topaz and yellow sapphire.
02Treatment
Citrine in its most pure and natural form radiates a translucent yellow hue. The presence of iron oxide in the quartz is responsible for its captivating color. “Lemon quartz” is the name often used to refer to a naturally light-yellow citrine. A citrine, because of its color, is often mistaken for a yellow topaz.
Since natural and untreated citrines are extremely rare, amethyst and smoky quartz are frequently heat treated to obtain the coveted golden-yellow hue. This treatment is stable and is widely used for permanent color change. The citrines available at Angara are natural and are not enhanced in any way.
Know About Other Gems
Citrine
"In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.”
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
- Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
- Round
Pear
Oval
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
This gemstone is rare in its natural form and greatly sought-after by gem enthusiasts and collectors. There are several factors that determine the value of a citrine:
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- Color is the most critical factor that establishes a citrine’s worth. In its natural form, this gem is mostly pale-yellow to golden-yellow in hue with hints of smoky brown.
- In comparison to lighter tones, a citrine which displays a deep color with reddish tints is more expensive.
- A reddish-orange hued citrine is typically referred to as ‘Madeira’ colored, after the renowned wine.
02Carat
- This radiant gemstone comes in an assortment of sizes, and stones weighing up to 20 carats are readily available.
- Due to this reason, the price of a citrine is not influenced significantly by the carat size.
- This aspect makes them a wonderful choice for bold jewelry designs.
03Clarity
- Citrine is a transparent quartz with a vitreous luster.
- Most citrines are eye-clean, which means they have no visible inclusions.
- Color zoning may decrease its value as merchants look for citrines with a more uniform hue.
04Cuts
- Like most quartz, citrine is available in large sizes, so it is possible to carve them into almost any shape.
- Round and oval are the most popular cuts for this gemstone, as they tend to maximize dispersion and color.
- Other frequently used shapes consist of trillion, cushion, pear, square and heart.
Quality & Grading
Based on these factors, a citrine can be graded into the following categories of quality:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Deep Golden | Eye Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Vintage Style Cushion Citrine Solitaire Ring$1029 |
| Best (AAA) |  Golden | Eye Clean | High | Top 10% |
Pave Set Citrine Bar Ring with Milgrain$409 |
| Better (AA) |  Yellow | Slightly Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Prong-Set Citrine Teardrop V-Bale Pendant with Diamond$689 |
| Good (A) |  Light Yellow | Slightly Included | Low | Top 75% |
Trillion and Pear Citrine Drop Pendant with Diamond$189 |
Latest Pick from Citrine Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Half Eternity Seven Stone Citrine and Diamond Wedding Ring
$1199
Vintage Style Cushion Citrine Solitaire Ring
$1339
Snowflake-Cut Citrine Halo Split Shank Ring
$2549
Double Claw-Set Cushion Citrine Ring with Diamond Halo
$2529
Classic Cushion Citrine Solitaire Ring with Hidden Accents
$2449
Care Instructions
Citrine is a relatively durable gemstone, but it needs to be treated with care to avoid scratches and other damages. Here are some dos and don'ts to ensure the long life of this lustrous gem.
FAQs
1. Are citrines valuable?
Yes, citrines are valuable, especially those with vibrant, rich colors and high clarity. The value of a citrine depends on factors such as its hue, size and cut, with deeper golden tones often being more sought after.
2. Are citrines expensive?
Citrine is one of the more affordable gemstones, making it a popular choice among gemstone enthusiasts. However, larger colored stones with a deep amber color or those with exceptional clarity can command higher prices.
3. Are citrines natural or treated?
Citrines are often natural but are also commonly heat-treated to enhance their color. Most citrines on the market today are created by heating amethyst or smoky quartz, a process that mimics natural geological conditions. This treatment is stable, widely accepted and doesn’t affect the gemstone's durability.
4. Are citrines graded differently than diamonds?
Yes, citrines are graded based on their color, clarity, cut and size, but not with the same strict 4Cs system that applies to diamonds. The most prized citrines have a rich, even deep amber color and no visible inclusions.
5. What is the difference between citrine and other yellow gemstones such as yellow sapphire or yellow topaz?
Citrine is known for its warm yellow hue that ranges from sunny to amber, while yellow sapphire exhibits a more vibrant yellow color. Yellow topaz, on the other hand, has a golden or honey-like tone. Citrine is more affordable and widely available than these other yellow gemstones, contributing to its popularity.
