Citrine is the
official birthstone for the month of November as adopted by the
American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is also
the Planetary stone for the Sun Sign of Virgo and the accepted
gem for the 13th and 17th wedding anniversaries. Citrine is 7.0
on the Mohs scale of hardness.
Citrine is mined in Brazil, but almost all of the Brazilian
material is heat-treated Amethyst. Natural Citrine can also be
found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, in Dauphine, France, and
in Madagascar. Citrine may be mistaken for the more expensive
orangish-yellow Topaz and, at times, may be sold as Yellow Topaz
by dishonest gemstone vendors. Due to this, Citrine buyers are
sometimes suspicious of any Citrine and think it may actually be
fake Topaz.
Click here for a picture in natural form.
Click here for more faceted and natural specimens.
Description:
Citrine is one of the most affordable gemstones, thanks to the
durability and availability of this golden quartz. Inexpensive
low grade Amethyst is heated at high temperatures to produce the
popular orange, reddish and sherry colored Citrine. Darker
colors are considered more valuable, including the medium golden
orange and dark sherry-colors. Since most Citrine on the market
started its life as Amethyst which was heated to turn its color
to gold, Citrine jewelry, as well as Amethyst jewelry, should be
kept away from prolonged exposure to strong light or heat. With
this precaution, Citrine jewelry will last for many generations.
Citrine gets its name from the French name for lemon, "citron".
Chemistry:
The formula for Citrine is a variety of Quartz, SiO2,
Quartz-Silicon Oxide. Citrine is a variety of Quartz ranging in
colors of yellow, yellow-brown, orange, dark orange-brown,
reddish-brown. Citrine crystals can form together with Amethyst
or Smoky Quartz to form a bi-colored Quartz called Ametrine.
Almost all Citrine that is available on the market today is
heat-treated Amethyst. Natural Citrine is pale yellow to pale
orange, much lighter than the heat-treated material which is
dark orange-brown to reddish-brown. Much of the natural Citrines
may have started out as Amethyst but heat from nearby magmatic
bodies may have caused the change to Citrine. All of the
heat-treated material has a red tint, while natural Citrine does
not.
Legends, Myths and Healing
Properties:
 In
ancient times, Citrine was carried as a protection against snake
venom and evil thoughts. Citrine is believed to help the heart,
kidney, digestive tract, liver and muscles. It promotes
creativity, helps personal clarity and eliminates
self-destructive tendencies. |
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