Citrine is the stone of the November natives. It is part of the great family of quartz, as well as amethyst, tiger’s eye, agate, onyx, etc. The name, from the Latin citrus, refers to lemon. Its yellow color is due to the presence of iron during its crystallization. It can vary from light yellow to dark yellow, golden, brown.
Whether it has been heat treated or not, a citrine whose color lacks intensity loses its value.
Citrines are rarely found in a natural state. More than 90% of the citrines presented in jewelery are amethyst or smoky quartz which has been heated to 500 ° C. Almost all treated citrines shoot on red-brown. Pale yellow is, on the contrary, the dominant color of natural citrines. The most sought after and expensive citrine is naturally from a deep yellow to intense golden and contains few impurities.
The most beautiful citrines come from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Spain, Russia, the United States, and Madagascar are also producing countries. The current trend of yellow color brings back a popularity of citrine. It remains an interesting purchase at more than reasonable price.