Natural Citrine
"From the Mine to You"
Citrine is the yellow to orange variety of quartz, one of the most popular and affordable gemstones. Its warm golden color ranges from pale yellow to deep amber. Citrine is November's birthstone and is known as the "merchant's stone" for its supposed ability to attract wealth.
Origin
Brazil is the world's leading producer of citrine, with much of it coming from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Other sources include Spain, Bolivia, France, Russia, Madagascar and the United States.
How to test the "Realness" of Citrine
Natural citrine is relatively rare; most citrine on the market is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. Natural citrine tends to have a pale yellow to golden color, while heat-treated stones often show a reddish or orange tint. A gemologist can examine inclusions and other properties to confirm authenticity.
Interesting Facts about Citrine
Citrine has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough for everyday wear. Its color comes from traces of iron in the quartz crystal structure. Citrine is often confused with topaz due to similar colors, but they are entirely different minerals.