How to tell if citrine is real or not?

Citrine is a beautiful yellow-orange variety of quartz that is very popular and in demand. However, as with many other valuable items, there are fakes or imitations that can be difficult to distinguish from the real thing. In this detailed guide, we’ll look at the characteristics of real citrine and discuss different ways to identify it from fakes.

‍ What is citrine and its meaning?

Citrine is a yellow-orange variety of quartz that ranges in color from pale yellow to deep reddish orange. Natural citrine is rare and prized for its beautiful colors. The more saturated the color, the higher the overall cost. Throughout history, citrine has been used as a decorative and functional gemstone in a variety of cultures, and today it remains a popular choice among both consumers and collectors.

Characteristics of Genuine Citrine

• Color: Natural citrine has a subtle and even color distribution, while fake citrine often has a deeper, brighter hue with an uneven color distribution. Even though natural citrine contains various shades of yellow, the transition between colors is subtle and gradual.
• Inclusions: Genuine citrine usually has some inclusions, while glass imitation stones are often free of flaws.
• Inner Rainbow: Real citrine can exhibit an inner rainbow when light passes through it, whereas glass does not produce this effect.

What does “fake” citrine look like?

You might think that a “fake” citrine is a completely artificial or synthetic stone, but this is not always the case. Sometimes a fake citrine is an altered form of another real gemstone or an imitation made from other materials.

‍ One common example of “fake” citrine is heat-treated amethyst. Both amethyst and citrine are varieties of quartz. When amethyst is heated, it can change color and become similar to citrine. Although heat-treated amethyst is still a true gemstone, it is not similar to natural citrine and costs less on the market. Heat-treated amethyst can be recognized by the intense color at the tips of the crystals, which fades towards the base. Its colors are often more uniform and vibrant, in contrast to the subtle color gradients found in natural citrine.

Another type of fake citrines is glass imitations. These imitations are made to look like citrine, but do not have the same properties and value as the real thing. Imitation glass can be distinguished by the absence of inclusions and uniformity, which differ from the natural variations inherent in real citrine. Glass is also less hard than citrine (about 5,5 on the Mohs scale versus 7 for citrine), so it is easier to scratch. However, be careful when performing scratch tests as they can damage the gemstone.

The difference between real and fake citrine

Real Citrine vs Glass

• Scratch Test: Citrine has a Mohs hardness of 7, while glass is typically around 5,5. A scratch test can help tell them apart, but it is not recommended as it may damage the gemstone.
• Refractive Index: The refractive index of real citrine is 1,54-1,55, while that of glass usually ranges between 1,45-1,50. This property can be measured using a refractometer, but this test is usually performed by a professional gemologist.
• Magnification: Under magnification, inclusions or growth patterns can be seen in natural citrine, while the glass appears more uniform and free of flaws. If you don’t see any inclusions, it’s not bubbles. If you see bubbles in the product, this means that the product is glass, since there are no bubbles in natural citrine.
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Real Citrine vs Heat Treated Amethyst

Color: Heat-treated amethysts often have richer colors at the tips of the crystals and fade towards the base. If you see darker yellow-orange colors, it is most likely heated amethyst rather than natural citrine. Natural citrine is usually lighter in color.

Citrine Authentication

To ensure the authenticity of your citrine, consult a professional gemologist or reputable jeweler.

They have the experience and equipment to accurately evaluate a gemstone. Gemological laboratories can also certify citrine, confirming its authenticity and providing additional information about its origin, processing and quality.

Identifying real citrine from a fake can be challenging.

By examining factors such as color, inclusions, and refractive index, you can increase your chances of distinguishing real citrine from heat-treated amethyst, glass imitation, and painted and varnished stones. Consulting with a professional gemologist is a reliable way to confirm the authenticity of the stone and ensure that you are investing in real citrine.

Having a thorough understanding of the characteristics of real citrine and how to identify it will help you make informed decisions when purchasing or collecting citrine stones.

This way you can appreciate the beauty and value of this stunning and rare variety of quartz. I hope you can now buy citrine with more confidence!

‍Sincerely yours Anna Strod director of the jewelry store myjewels.ru

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Citrine belongs to the crystalline quartz family of minerals. Its beautiful yellowish color resembles topaz, making it popular for jewelry. In fact, natural citrine is quite rare. All samples are mined in the Ural Mountains of Russia or Madagascar. The mineral has a long history of use in jewelry and has been found in sword hilts dating back to 300 and 150 BC. Traditionally it was sought for protection, to bring success and wealth to the owner. Today the stone can be found as the birthstone for November. There are many popular shapes, but it is also important to pay attention to clarity and color. Like other stones, citrine has no standard grading system, so authenticity, size, clarity and color are important to consider.

Description of the stone

Citrine belongs to the quartz family. Quartz, and therefore citrine, consists of oxygen and silicon atoms connected in a unique structure. This crystalline mineral can be found in a variety of colors. But natural citrine has a yellow tint, which can have brown, red or orange tones. Its name comes from the French word for lemon, citron. You may also find the stone labeled as topaz quartz due to its similarity to another yellowish gemstone. Historically, citrine was added to jewelry and weapons for protection. It was believed that it wards off evil and protects against snake bites. Older products use a natural mineral that is very rare. Most of the samples on the modern market are fakes, not mined from the earth, but heat-treated amethyst. This process is very similar to nature, and the resulting gemstone is almost identical. Many of these stones are decorations for November births or given as thirteenth anniversary gifts. Antique citrine jewelry, popular in the 1940s, is also prized.
Citrine is a relatively durable stone, ranking as a seven on the Mohs scale compared to a diamond’s ten. Their scratch resistance makes them an excellent material for jewelry. They have a warm, rich color ranging from pale yellow to earthy ombre. You can find necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets with this mineral. Its neutral color, wide range of shapes and durability make it a great addition to everyday wear.

Shapes of stone

Yellow citrine has a variety of cuts. It is relatively easy to process, so there is a wide range of shapes available on the market. Fancy cuts such as marquise or baguette are possible. Additionally, the stone can sometimes be cut into a cabochon shape, meaning it has a polished, rounded surface and a flat back. Various designs can be carved directly onto the mineral as it lends itself well to individual cutting. However, since citrine does not have exceptional refractive power, the most popular cut that enhances its brilliance and adds depth is the round. The round citrine solitaire has many facets that enhance its light refraction and enhance its brilliance.

dimensions

Because natural citrine is rare, large specimens are not regularly mined. A good large stone is a noticeable find for the jewelry market. However, citrines created from heat-treated amethyst come in different sizes. Smaller specimens sometimes have richer color, making them great for rings. Citrines come in both small and large carats. However, the carat does not have a significant impact on the price.

Colours

Color is usually cited as the most important factor when choosing citrine. Minerals come in yellow shades mixed with brown and orange tones. Like topaz, yellow can be pale or dusky. The best color is a deep yellow that is rich and not too pale or cloudy. Likewise, citrine with orange flares instead of being predominantly red or brown is often valued more. However, in today’s market, reddish and deeply colored specimens that resemble amber can be just as desirable as rich yellow stones. These golden, reddish-orange citrines are called “Madeira” colored minerals. As a general rule, it is best to avoid citrines that are very pale in color or have noticeable brown flecks, known as a “smoky” tone.

Purity of natural stone

When choosing citrine, make sure it is “eye clean,” meaning that no inclusions or defects are visible to the naked eye. Fortunately, citrine, as a type 2 gemstone, does not have many inclusions. Therefore, many specimens on the market are clean in appearance. The lack of obvious inclusions makes it very clean, emphasizing the need for an even color of the stone and no color variations or zoning.

Search for natural stone

Natural citrine is not widely available. Most of it is mined in the Ural Mountains of Russia, although this area is already almost exhausted. This mineral is also mined in Madagascar, France and Congo. In addition, several high-quality specimens were obtained in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil). However, Brazil is also known for producing a large number of heat-treated amethysts, which are much easier to find on the market than natural stones.

Buy certified citrine

The mineral is usually not certified. In most cases, citrine cannot be certified by a laboratory. However, there are ways to determine the authenticity of a sample. Most gemstones can be recreated using colored glass. If you notice even one bubble in the mineral, it may be glass. Citrine can also be produced in a laboratory from human-grown quartz with added minerals or chemicals to change its color.
remember, that Amethyst is usually heat treated to become similar to citrine. It is quite difficult to distinguish processed amethyst from naturally occurring citrine. Additionally, since this process has been going on for over two thousand years, it is considered standard and does not require disclosure. Additionally, since the heat treatment of amethyst is virtually identical to the process that would occur if the quartz were left in the ground, there is no significant disadvantage to the average jewelry owner in purchasing citrine obtained this way.

stone processing

As mentioned, amethyst can be heat treated to look like citrine and is often sold simply as citrine. The natural mineral can also be heat treated to enhance color saturation. Both heat-treated, natural citrine has almost the same molecular properties, and both are subjected to heat – one in the ground, the other in a mine.