Citrine, derived from the French word “citron,” comes in the colors of citrus fruit, from orange to yellow hues. Citrine’s optimistic colors bring to mind the warmth of mid-day sunshine.
Citrine is the alternate November birthstone.
Color
Citrine gemstones come in the colors of citrus fruits, in color ranges from yellow to deep reddish-orange reminiscent of Madeira wines.Cut
Citrine gemstones can be cut into many shapes and sizes, often as cabochons or beads, and is also carved for ornamental use.Origin
Brazil is one of the main sources for citrine, and Bolivia has also become a leading producer. It is also found in countries such as Namibia, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Zambia.Durability
Citrine is a fairly durable gemstone with a hardness of 7.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.Treatments
Most citrines start out as amethysts that are heat-treated to turn yellow to reddish orange. The heat treatment is considered stable under most conditions. Any treatments should be disclosed to the buyer.Lab-Created
Citrine can be manufactured in a lab rather than mined. This information needs to be clearly disclosed to the buyer.Care & Cleaning
- To minimize scratching and wear, store each piece of fine jewelry separately in a soft cloth or padded container.
- Strong heat can fade or damage citrine.
- 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.
Find Citrine pieces at a trustworthy, JA Member Jewelry store in our Find a Jeweler directory.
Content © GIA. Image © Robert Weldon/GIA