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Colour
  • Citrines actually cover a much wider range of yellows than do most lemons, including rich, orangy yellow colours.
  • In deep orange, it is reminiscent of a gem from a different species called topaz (but no relation whatsoever between citrine and topaz)
Clarity
  • Citrine is often devoid of eye-visible inclusions
  • Some citrine have fluid inclusions or minerals like rutile needles or goethite


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TREATMENTS
CUT
  • Although citrine can be found on all continents most citrines start out as amethysts
  • Amethysts are heat treated to turn yellow or yellow brown
  • Altered color is fairly stable
  • Citrine can be found in many sizes and is often cut as large gems or in carvings.



Care
  • Citrine is also fairly resilient and may be worn extensively, though wearing citrine during any type of manual labor or strenuous activity should be avoided.
  • Care should be taken not to knock the gem during use, as small fissures or cracks may develop, especially along facet junctions.
  • It is best cleaned with warm, sudsy water or a damp cleaning cloth

Collectors of citrine look for a pure yellow or orange colour to begin with. Many famous lapidaries (cutters) work with citrines to make unusual carvings or cuts, which are also highly prized.

Ametrine which combines the colors of amethyst and citrine is highly collectible if the color division is strong
collect
Citrine is always a welcome addition to Spring jewelry and especially this year with beige being such an important fashion color. With that in mind, there's nothing like a permanent ray of sunshine to adorn your finger, like Carri Vacik's "Courtesan" ring.


Citrine is the rarest of the Quartz family of gemstones. Most of todays citrine is artificially created as amethyst, which turns yellow when heat-treated. [Source: Firefly Guide to Gems by Cally Oldershaw (pg. 156)]