Commonly Asked Questions: Citrine

Posted on Wednesday, November 8th, 2017 in Commonly Asked Questions, Informational.


citrine

Where in the world do citrines come from? Most of the world’s citrines come from Brazil.

How are citrines formed? Citrine is a variety of the mineral quartz, which is formed when rich silicon deposits combine with oxygen in underground cavities and fractures.

Where does a citrine’s color come from? The presence of iron in a natural citrine causes the gem to take on its yellowish-orange color. It’s important to note that natural citrine is very rare so most of the citrine available on the market is actually heat treated amethyst (which is another member of the quartz family). The amethyst’s original hue can determine the richness of the resulting citrine’s yellow color.

How is citrine different from smoky quartz or lemon quartz? Color is the main differentiating factor between these three gems. As stated earlier, citrines feature a yellowish-orange color while smoky quartz gems are typically brown. Lemon quartz is just another name for a light yellow citrine.

What determines the value of a citrine? Like other gemstones, a citrine’s value depends on its color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. The most valuable citrines feature a saturated yellow to reddish orange color, have an excellent cut, lack inclusions that are visible to the eye, and are large in size.

Do citrines symbolize anything? Citrine is a birthstone for the month of November. It is also the designated gemstone for the 13th anniversary. Citrine is believed to promote creativity, help personal clarity and eliminate self-destructive tendencies. This November birthstone is also associated with hope, strength, youth, and fidelity.

Can citrine jewelry be worn every day? Citrine comes in at 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which means it’s not as durable as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or topaz, but can still be worn in everyday jewelry.

How should I care for my citrine jewelry? Some citrines fade in color when exposed to intense light for a long period of time, so make sure to avoid wearing your citrine jewelry if you’re planning to spend a lot of time outdoors in the sunlight. To clean your citrine jewelry, use warm soapy water and dry with a soft towel.

 

View Kloiber Jewelers’ citrine jewelry collection here.