Citrine Education: All about citrine Gemstones? 

Citrine is a mineral found only in a few places on the planet. Its tawny tint caused it to be misidentified with topaz in the days before modern gemology. It is now the most popular yellow-to-orange gem because of its appealing hue, durability, and affordability, which it shares with other quartzes. Citrine's most popular colour is an earthy, rich brownish or reddish-orange in today's market.

 

One of the most significant elements known to humankind is iron. Staying healthy necessitates the use of iron. Building a house requires the usage of iron. And, yes, good jewellery involves the use of iron. Iron is responsible for the beautiful warm colours found in citrine gemstones. They're bright, beautiful, and enthrallingly yellow! These yellow gems may not be as valuable as rubies or emeralds. They are, however, extremely rare and valuable. Citrine earrings, pendants, rings, and necklaces are all beautiful pieces of jewellery crafted from this semi-precious stone. 

 

Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about these precious stones. We go over its history, features, types, buying it, and how to care for it.

 

Citrine gemstones is a popular yellow gemstone and a member of the quartz family. The citron fruit, which looks like a giant lemon, is the source of its name. Pure quartz is colourless, and each form of quartz has a particular tint due to traces of various components. Because of the presence of iron, citrine has enticing sunny hues. This captivating gemstone comes in multiple colours, from pale yellow to golden-orange to reddish-brown. The bulk of citrine gemstones on the market today are heat-treated quartz variants (amethyst, smokey quartz) to get the perfect golden-yellow colour.

 

Citrine is a mineral that can originate in nature. However, it is pretty rare. Natural citrine is highly sought after since it has no apparent inclusions or colour zoning.

For decades, this jewel was treasured for its rarity. It was particularly well-liked by the wealthy. Ancient Romans used citrine to decorate jewellery and intaglio art. Large faceted citrines were widely utilised in fine jewellery throughout the Art Deco period in the early twentieth century, highlighting the period's uniqueness. Its fame has endured to this day, and the diamond is prized for its beauty and radiance. Citrine is a rare mineral, with Brazil being the world's biggest producer. Uruguay, Scotland, Madagascar, Spain, the United States, and Russia are valuable sources.


Citrine Gemstones Types

 The natural and heat-treated varieties of this semi-precious stone can be distinguished. The distinction between them is due to the way they are made.

 

  •  As the name implies, they are stones that are found naturally. The colour of these stones is pale yellow, with smoky undertones. Also offered are brownish and orange variations. Because they are rare in nature, they are also pricey.

  • Citrine gemstones are rare. Thus they're frequently fabricated from other quartz stones, which is why they're heat-treated. Heat-treated ones are the most common commercial ones on the market today. Heated amethysts are used to create them. The colour's darkness is determined by how much heat is applied. While this treatment alters the colour of the stone, it does not affect the chemical properties of the stone. Therefore, it isn't as valuable as naturally occurring because it isn't natural.

 

Facts on Citrine

  • Citrine is a quartz variant related to rock crystal, amethyst, prasiolite (a rare greenish form of quartz), and agate (a variety of chalcedony).
  • Citrine comes from a variety of places, including Brazil and Bolivia. In addition, Namibia, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Zambia are some of the nations these gemstones found.
  • Citrine has a Mohs hardness rating of 7.0, making it a fairly durable gemstone.
  • Citrine gemstones can be carved into various shapes and sizes, most commonly as cabochons or beads.

Grades and Quality


Gem lovers and collectors prize this gemstone in its natural state. However, various factors determine a citrine's value:

 

Cut

Citrine gemstones, like most quartz, come in massive proportions, allowing for practically any shape to be carved out of it. However, because they promote dispersion and colour, round and oval cuts are the most preferred for this gemstone. The trillion cushion, pear, square, and heart are other common shapes. Beads, sculptures, and cabochons are made from citrines with minimal imperfections.

 

Carat

This brilliant gemstone is available in various sizes, including stones weighing up to 20 carats. As a result, the carat size has little bearing on the price of a citrine. Because of this, they're an excellent choice for statement jewellery.

 

Colour

Citrine's warm colour is what distinguishes it. Pale yellow stones are far more common and less expensive than those with an orangish-brown tint. The more precious the stone, the darker the colour. However, when buying dark citrines, be sure the stone is natural and not heat-treated.


Clarity

Citrines are classified as type 1 clarity. Those with no apparent inclusions or colour zoning are the most appealing. Colour zoning can be viewed as zebra or tiger stripes. When purchasing citrine jewellery, keep an eye out for fractures.

 

Cleaning & Maintaining

  • Store expensive jewellery individually in a soft cloth or padded container to avoid scratching and wear.
  • Citrine gemstones are susceptible to fading and damage when exposed to extreme temperatures.
  • Using a tightly woven microfibre or other soft cloth, clean citrine jewellery in warm, sudsy water.
  • At least twice a year, get all of your fine jewellery cleaned and inspected by a competent jeweller.