Citrines - Buyer's guide and jewelry care

Citrine (like Amethysts and Smoky Quartz) is a member of the durable Quartz gemstone family. It is relatively free of inclusions even at large carat sizes, making it ideal for large rings and pendants. However, the sunny citrine is just as beautiful as an accent of color in smaller rings and earrings - either by itself or in combination with diamonds, garnets, peridots, blue topaz or green amethyst.

Citrine is the birthstone for those born in November. It's also the gemstone for 13th and 17th wedding anniversaries.

Cost per carat

The citrine is a very affordable gemstone, with a cost generally ranging from around $5 to $15 per carat. It can generally be found in sizes from 1 to 20 carats.

Color

Citrine ranges in hue from light yellow through warm, deep gold to orange-brown. Two shades are often referenced by name:

Lemon Citrine - a bright, sunny yellow.

Madeira Citrine - a deep sherry color (deep orange-brown), like Madeira wine.

Related to citrine is the gemstone known as Ametrine, which is half amethyst and half citrine. All ametrine originates from one mine in Bolivia.

Cut

Although citrine is well suited to just about any of the popular gemstone cuts and shapes, citrines are particularly attractive in an emerald (step cut), oval or pear shape. Cabachons and carved stones are also popular.

Treated Stones

While citrine (golden quartz) does occur naturally, most gemstones on the market are other colors of quartz - either amethyst or smoky quartz - which have been heat treated to shift their color. Heat treated citrine is a warmer and deeper shade of yellow than the natural stones and also has a reddish cast. Enhancing color through heat treatment is a customary practice for citrines - unless your jeweler specifically tells you it is an untreated stone, assume the citrine in your jewelry has been heat treated.

Treated stones have some degree of a reddish cast. This is not necessarily apparent to the naked eye - in many cases it can be noted only under magnification or through the use of special gemological equipment.

Care of Citrine Jewelry

Like other members of the quartz family, citrine is a fairly hard and durable stone, suitable to everyday wear. However, you should avoid steam cleaning citrines or exposing them to high temperatures, as this can fade or fracture some stones.

Citrine is also somewhat susceptible to damage from certain acids - especially hydroflouric acid and ammonium flouride - and from alkalies. wear gloves or remove your jewelry if you are working with powerful cleaners or other chemicals of this type.