Kissed by the Sun... As the golden variety of the quartz family, citrine takes its name from citron, the French word for lemon. But don’t think that all citrine is the color of lemonade. Citrines range from the soft hues of golden champagne to the rich, deep color of a fine Madeira wine. Its broad range of colors and outstanding affordability make citrine one of the most popular and desirable gemstones in the world.
Citrine is a gemstone that generates a feeling of warmth and often sparks an attitude of lightheartedness in the wearer. Sunny and affordable, citrine is the perfect complement to any jewelry wardrobe, blending especially well with pastel colors and bright, polished surfaces. Citrine is also readily available in larger sizes. It’s not uncommon to find beautiful faceted gems over 10 carats, especially in lighter shades of yellow.
Birthstone
Citrine is an alternate birthstone for November.
Origins
Most citrine comes from Brazil. Other important sources include Madagascar, Bolivia and the United States.
Treatments
Almost all citrine on the market today has been heat treated to improve its appearance. The color of citrine, whether treated or not, may fade if exposed to heat or sunlight for prolonged periods.
Care
The beautiful color in your citrine, if properly taken care of, will last indefinitely. Citrine should be protected from sharp blows and scratches but is otherwise quite resistant to normal wear. Citrine can be cleaned with most any commercial jewelry cleaner or plain soap and water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning. Some citrine, whether treated or not, may fade if exposed to sunlight or heat for long periods of time. Because of this, you should never wear your citrine jewelry while sunbathing or when using a tanning bed.
Photo: Robert Weldon, Copyright Professional Jeweler Magazine
Editors Note: This article is © 2002-2008 Jewelers of America Inc.
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