What is Citrine
Citrine is a member of the common quartz family, and a sister gem to amethyst. In fact, most commercial citrine today is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz whose color comes from iron. Heat enhancement is routinely performed to create colors that vary from pure yellow to honey gold to smoky brown. It is found in Brazil, United States, Russia, Madagascar, Spain, France. Citrine is very abundant and affordable and is commonly used as an alternative for the November birthstone.
Natural color citrine is rare and usually pale yellow. The color is caused by inclusions of manganese and titanium.
Citrine Color and Characteristics
Heat-treated quartz citrine has deep colored tips of yellow, gold, or brown and a milky-white base. The treatment requires no special care and is considered permanent.
Natural citrine is pale and translucent, sometimes resembling very pale smoky quartz. Generally, the most valued types of citrine quartz are intense orange in color.
Care
Citrine is easily cared for, requiring cleaning with a gentle solution made specifically for jewelry. Borsheims also offers small “ultrasonic” cleaners that clean your jewelry with high-frequency sound. It is important to have your jewelry professionally cleaned and checked three to four times a year. When not worn, citrine jewelry should be stored in a jewelry box lined with soft fabric.
Citrine Jewelry
Perfect for daily wear, this earth tone gem is the birthstone for November and is recognized as one of the most popular and frequently purchased yellow gemstones. Citrine’s warm hues lend itself to jewelry fashioned in yellow gold, although it is not uncommon to find it set in white gold or platinum.
