What is citrine?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Citrine is the yellow to orange variety of quartz, with colour ranging from the palest straw yellow through warm golden tones to a deep, amber-orange that can approach the colour of fine imperial topaz. The colour comes from traces of iron in the crystal, and most commercial citrine is actually amethyst or smoky quartz that has been heat-treated to turn it yellow or orange, which is a standard, accepted practice in the industry. Citrine is a birthstone for November and shares the month with topaz.
Frequently asked questions
- Is citrine the same as yellow topaz?
- No, citrine is quartz and topaz is a different mineral species entirely. They are often confused because of similar colour ranges, but topaz is harder at 8 on the Mohs scale compared with citrine's 7, and fine imperial topaz is considerably more valuable than citrine.
- Is most citrine heat-treated?
- Yes. Naturally occurring citrine is quite rare; the warm orange and deep amber shades widely sold as citrine are usually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, both of which turn yellow-orange when heated. This is standard industry practice and does not affect durability or beauty.
- Can citrine be worn every day?
- At 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, citrine is reasonably tough for everyday wear in pendants and earrings. It is safe for rings with some care, though prolonged exposure to very bright sunlight can gradually fade its colour, so it is worth removing pieces during long days outdoors.
Designing a ring
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