Gemstones

Citrine Gemstones: Simply the Zest

 

Since the dawn of time, the bright yellow rays of the sun have inspired and motivated mankind. These energizing beams seem to be captured in the glorious gemstone citrine which has been called the "sun stone".

 
25.00 Carat Citrine and .80 ct. t.w. Diamond Ring in 14kt Yellow Gold. #909656

What Is Citrine?

Citrine is a yellow quartz stone that has been around for centuries. Citrine has long been a favorite of classic Hollywood stars such as Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford, and it remains popular to this day. The citrine name was first used in 1556 by Georg Bauer, a German metallurgist, in one of his publications. Its name is derived from the French for lemon—citrón—because its natural color is pale yellow. Citrine is said to symbolize health, happiness, and success, and it's known by many names, including "success stone" and "merchant's stone," because it is said to bring good luck in business and money.

Citrine is rare and believed to date back thousands of years (it's even mentioned in the Bible). The stone has been revered as a symbol of power and beauty throughout history. The Romans used it for jewelry, and the Greeks carved images into the stone's surface to enhance its supposed mystical abilities. The Egyptians wore them as talismans to bring good luck, and citrine gemstones were popular during the Art Deco period.

The Romans hailed citrine as the stone of Mercury, the messenger god, and used it for carving intaglios.

A semi-precious stone, citrine is often confused for topaz because they share a similar golden brown-yellow color in nature. Citrine's chemical properties are almost identical to those of its sibling quartz, the amethyst. There isn't much difference between the two except for how quickly the stones oxidize iron. Iron deposits provide color to the gemstone—that's why when you see a bright yellow-orange citrine stone, you can tell that's it's been heat-treated. The amethyst's original color affects how deep and bright the citrine color is. Citrine that's been heat-treated into darker colors like golden-orange and sherry are considered to be more valuable.

 
(3)
Super Deal: $129
Compare: $180
Save: $51 (28%)
Free Shipping!
(17)
Super Deal: $140
Compare: $195
Save: $55 (28%)
Free Shipping!
(2)
Sale: $165
$220 (Save 25%)
Free Shipping!
 

What is the history of citrine?

Throughout the Bible, citrine is known as Chrysolitus (Greek for "gold stone"). The first Hebrew high priest, Aaron, wore a breastplate containing 12 stones, including a citrine gem. Citrine later became popular among the Greeks due to its color, and it became a valuable possession and was used both for decorations and jewelry.

The fascination with citrine grew throughout the 17th century. In Scotland, daggers and sword handles were soon adorned with it. If miners stumbled upon a large deposit of citrine crystals, they were used to carve the entire sword handle.

Heading into the 19th century, the need for citrine lessened as the popularity of diamonds and sapphires grew. But when Queen Victoria proclaimed her love for colored gemstones—namely citrine—the demand surged once again. (It also became the chosen gem for Scottish kilt pins and brooches.)

Today, citrine can be found just about anywhere, and the gorgeous gem is loved by Hollywood starlets and royalty, including Kate Middleton, Kate Winslet, and Jessica Chastain.

Where is citrine found?

Citrine is part of the quartz family—and quartz is found all over the world. (Quartz makes up around 12 percent of the Earth's surface.) Natural citrine is found primarily in Brazil, Russia, and Madagascar. Transparent with a glass-like appearance, quartz makes up a large portion of common igneous, metamorphic, and igneous rocks and can be found in a wide range of colors. Natural citrine has a light yellow to a smokey brown-grey hue, but when heat-treated, the span of colors increases to include bright yellow and burnt orange, which is commonly found on the market.

What color is citrine?

Citrine's most distinctive feature is its color. Because yellow quartz is infrequent, the range of colors is extensive, from lemon yellow to reddish-brown. Typically, the deeper, more saturated hues are more valuable than the lighter shades. (As mentioned previously, citrines have a yellow tinge due to the presence of iron.) Still, as yellow citrines are very rare, most of the gemstones available today are amethysts that have been heat-treated to give them that coveted amber color.

 
(7)
Super Deal: $159
Compare: $225
Save: $66 (29%)
Free Shipping!
(2)
Super Deal: $99
Compare: $195
Save: $96 (49%)
Free Shipping!
(4)
Super Deal: $89
Compare: $130
Save: $41 (32%)
Free Shipping!
 

Is citrine the same as topaz?

Before the rise of modern gemology in the 20th century, colored gems were called topaz. Topaz and quartz, however, are entirely different gems with different chemical compounds. If you compared a natural topaz with raw citrine, you understand why people confused the two. Citrine was once called gold topaz, Madeira topaz, or Spanish topaz before their differences were discovered.

How can you tell that citrine is real?

The citrine is one of the most faked gemstones. The crystal is genuine, but it is often heated amethyst to create the citrine gem on today's market. A valuable rule to follow when purchasing gemstones is to deal only with reputable dealers. Below we listed some helpful tips for buying citrine stones.

Color: Natural citrine colors range from a pale yellow to a smokey solid yellow, and their color is consistent throughout the stone. The most common type of citrine sold today is heat-treated. Heat-treated citrine has a reddish hue, so it's relatively easy to tell whether a crystal has been treated.

Clarity: Keep in mind that citrine is a crystal-clear stone in nature. Hold the gem in the light and inspect the stone from all sides (and, if possible, examine it under various types of light) before you make a purchase. Citrine crystals sometimes have inclusions, but it doesn't happen that often. The ideal citrine stone will be slightly transparent with no bubbles or inclusions.

Carat: When it comes to citrines, carat size does not affect their value.

 
Super Deal: $99
Compare: $140
Save: $41 (29%)
Free Shipping!
(2)
Sale from: $187.50
$250 (Save 25%)
Free Shipping!
(2)
Super Deal from: $180
Compare: $250
Save: $70 (28%)
Free Shipping!
 

Celebrate Autumn in Style

This "sun-kissed" golden gem is perfect for November's fall season. The changing foliage, pumpkins, apples, and cider—how fitting citrine is for this autumn month! Whether it is a Bat Mitzvah, Sweet Sixteen, or another milestone birthday, you'll have that special granddaughter or niece smiling with a fantastic citrine necklace or pendant. And if you have a sister of cousin who is into astrology, they'll love the positive metaphysical properties of citrine rings or earrings and the birthstone's connection to the Scorpio zodiac sign.

Brighten your Appearance

If you are not a big fan of vibrant color, citrine jewelry can be a good choice to brighten up your wardrobe. Its yellow to orange color has golden overtones, making it a pretty neutral, go-with-anything gemstone. But its sunny rays will do just the trick to take something from gloomy to cheerful! The palest form is sometimes referred to as champagne citrine, and has very light golden overtones. The most traditional is a sunny yellow, known as lemon citrine because of its likeness to the citrus fruit. And then there is smoky citrine, which has more of a smoldering brown color. For a chic look, layer a citrine bracelet with yellow or rose gold bangles for a trendy stacking ensemble.

Some of the pale yellow citrine stones also look strikingly similar to fancy yellow or canary diamonds. You'll look so glamorous in a light citrine jewelry; people will think you spent a fortune (it can be our little secret).

Citrine Gleams as November Birthstone

Happy Birthday to all of our friends born in November. You will be celebrating alongside Emma Stone, Anne Hathaway, Rachel McAdams, Meg Ryan and Katherine Heigl. Citrine is also the gem given for the 13th wedding anniversary.

 
(4)
Super Deal from: $140
Compare: $195
Save: $55 (28%)
Free Shipping!
Sale: $206.25
$275 (Save 25%)
Free Shipping!
(4)
Outlet Price from: $129
Compare: $175
Save: $46 (26%)
Free Shipping!
 

How to care for your citrine stone

Citrines can become dull over time, but proper care and storage will extend their lifespan.

You can clean your citrine using a soft-bristled toothbrush, mild liquid soap, and warm water. Scrub the stone gently with the brush, and be sure to rinse thoroughly. If, after washing, your stone doesn't seem to be glowing as brightly as you would like it to, take it to a jewelry store so they can clean it for you.

Be careful when using ultrasonic cleaners. In addition to potentially causing fractures in gemstones, they can also cause loose jewelry and gems to fall out of their settings. In the same way, if you suspect (or know) your stone has been heat-treated, don't clean it with a steam cleaner.

Citrine is a durable gemstone with a Mohs rating of 7, but harder gemstones like sapphires and diamonds can scratch it. It is also possible that citrines can scratch softer stones, such as pearls and opals. Protect your gems by keeping them in a cloth or a separate jewelry box. Lastly, it's essential to keep your citrine at a consistent temperature. Fluctuating heat and cold can fracture the stones.

Avoid exposure to detergents, bleach, and makeup. Do not wear citrine jewelry when exercising. And, while citrine is pretty durable, you should avoid bumping the stones into other objects or dropping them.