Citrine is rare in nature. In the days before modern gemology, its tawny color caused it to be confused with topaz. Today, its attractive color, plus the durability and affordability it shares with most other quartzes, makes it the top-selling yellow-to-orange gem. In the contemporary market, citrine’s most popular shade is an earthy, deep, brownish or reddish orange.

Quick Facts:

• Mineral: Quartz
• Chemical composition: SiO₂
• Color: Yellow to orange to orangy red
• Refractive index: 1.544 to 1.553
• Specific gravity: 2.66 (+0.03/-0.02)
• Mohs hardness: 7

Iron: A trace of iron in citrine’s structure is responsible for its yellow-to-orange color.

Heat: Natural citrine is rare. Most citrine on the market is the result of heat treatment of amethyst.

Popular: Citrine is recognized as one of the most popular and frequently purchased yellow gemstones.