Citrine
Citrine is a variety of the mineral quartz (SiO₂) distinguished by its pale yellow to deep orange coloration, resulting from trace iron impurities within the crystal lattice.[1][2] Exhibiting a Mohs hardness of 7 and good toughness, it possesses the durability of quartz, making it suitable for everyday jewelry wear, while its refractive index of 1.544–1.553 contributes to its vitreous luster and appeal as a top-selling yellow-to-orange gemstone.[1][3] Natural citrine forms rarely in igneous and hydrothermal environments, often in association with amethyst, but the vast majority of commercial citrine—estimated at over 95%—is produced by heating amethyst to alter its purple hue to yellow or orange, a stable treatment that mimics natural color but can introduce subtle differences in tone uniformity and clarity patterns detectable under gemological examination.[1][4] This prevalence of treated material has sparked debates over disclosure in the gem trade, as natural specimens command higher value due to their scarcity, though treated stones remain affordable and widely available without inherent stability issues.[5] Prized since ancient times for carvings and intaglios, citrine gained modern popularity in Art Deco jewelry and serves as a traditional November birthstone, with fine examples sourced from deposits in Brazil, Uruguay, and Madagascar.[6]Citrine (gemstone)
Etymology and physical properties
The term "citrine" derives from the late 14th-century Old French citrin, itself from Latin citrinus ("of citron or lemon"), reflecting the gemstone's yellow to orange coloration akin to citrus fruit.[7] This etymological root traces further to Latin citrus for the citron tree, emphasizing the pale yellow or greenish-yellow tones historically associated with the name.[7] Citrine constitutes a variety of quartz (SiO₂), distinguished by its yellow-to-orange hues imparted by trace ferric iron (Fe³⁺) impurities substituting for silicon in the crystal lattice.[2][8] It crystallizes in the trigonal system, typically forming prismatic or massive habits with vitreous luster, and possesses a Mohs hardness of 7, rendering it durable for gem use.[9] The refractive index measures 1.544–1.553 (uniaxial positive), birefringence is 0.009, and specific gravity approximates 2.65, consistent with macrocrystalline quartz varieties.[2]| Property | Description/Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | SiO₂ (with trace Fe³⁺) |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7 |
| Refractive index | 1.544–1.553 |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 (±0.01) |
| Cleavage | None; conchoidal fracture |
| Color origin | Ferric iron oxidation states |