Citrine

Greg C.
Jun 8, 2019
1 min read

The name is derived from its lemon yellow color. The coloring agent is iron. Natural Citrines are rare. Most commercial Citrines are heat-treated Amethysts, or Smokey Quartzes. Brazilian Amethyst turns light yellow to red-brown at 1022-1040 degrees F (550-560 degrees C). Some Smokey Quartzes turn into Citrine color already at about 390 degrees F (200 degrees C)

Almost all heat-treated Citrines have a reddish tint. The natural Citrines are mostly pale yellow. (See photo below)

Names for Citrine such as Bahia, Madeira, and Rio Grande topaz are improper and no longer accepted in the trade, as they are deceptive. On the other hand, when one, for example, speaks Madeira color and/or Madeira Citrine, this is a correct usage; the expert properly connects a certain color with the locality name.

Deposits of natural-colored Citrines are found in Brazil, Madagascar, and the United States, as well as Argentina, Burma (Myanmar), Namibia, Russia, Scotland, and Spain. Well colored Citrines are used as ring stones, and pendants, less attractive stones are made into necklaces or ornaments.