Citrine
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,
Professional Jeweler Magazine © 2002-2005 Jewelers of
America |
Member
American Gem Society