Consumer Information

What color is it?: Pale yellow to a madeira orange

What is the story behind this gemstone?: This is a member of the quartz family of gemstones and is a sister stone to the amethyst.

Can I wear it everyday?: Yes, citrine is a very long wearing and durable gemstone.

Is it expensive?: No. In fact most citrines will retail between US$10.00 to $50.00 per carat. They are widely available in a variety of natural colors.

Is it a birthstone?: Citrine is often used as the birthstone of November along with topaz.

What do I need to know before going shopping?: There are some discount stores and department stores who sell synthetic citrine as natural. Best to stay with a professional, independent retail jeweler to insure you are getting the real thing.

General Information

Source: Brazil is the main source

Chemical: SiO (silicon oxide)

Formation: Most frequently in the pegmatite dikes of the Brazilian gemstone producing regions.

Crystal System: Trigonal

Unusual Properties: None

Gemological Information

Ri: 1.544 - 1.553

Birefringence: .009 +-

Optic Character: U+

Specific Gravity: 2.67

Hardness: 7

Transparency: TP

Special Identifying Properties and Tests: None

Synthetics: Yes

Imitations: Glass