Citrines come in colors of citrus fruits and are available in color ranges from deep reddish oranges reminiscent of Madeira wines, to pale and saturated yellow hues. In fact, the name is derived from the French word “citron,” which means “lemon.” Citrine’s optimistic colors bring to mind the warmth of mid-day sunshine.

Citrine comes from many places around the world and is the alternate birthstone for November, but it is a gemstone everyone can enjoy.

Citrine Facts:

• Citrine belongs to the quartz species and is related to rock crystal, amethyst, praseolite (a rare, greenish form of quartz) and chalcedony (agate).
• Brazil is one of the main sources for citrine, and Bolivia has also become a leading producer. It is also found in African countries such as Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.
• Citrine is a durable gemstone with a hardness of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
• Citrine can be cut in many shapes and sizes, often as cabochon gems or beads, and is also carved for ornamental use.

Citrine Treatment:

• Many citrines start out as amethysts that are heat treated to turn yellow to yellowish brown. The altered color is considered stable. Information about any gemstone known to be treated should be disclosed to the buyer.

Synthetic Citrine:

• Citrine can also be man-made, meaning it is manufactured in a lab rather than mined, and this should be understood by the seller and clearly disclosed to the buyer.

Citrine Care and Cleaning:

• To minimize scratching and wear, store each piece of fine jewelry separately in a cloth or padded container.
• Take care not to knock the gem during use, as small fissures or cracks may develop.
• Strong heat can turn stones colorless.
• Citrine jewelry is best cleaned with warm, sudsy water and a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth.
• Take all your fine jewelry to a professional jeweler at least twice a year for a thorough cleaning and inspection.