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.
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