Orange Sapphire vs. Citrine: What’s the Difference?

Glamorous and identical in appearance, it is often difficult to tell apart the orange sapphire from a citrine. If you find yourself agreeing with this statement, then this article is just what you need.

Natural vs Lab Grown Gemstone

Read on to find out what makes these two jewels so different from each other.

Chemical Composition and Color
Symbolism
Rarity
Durability
Clarity
Treatment
Affordability
Desirability

1. Chemical Composition and Color

Orange Sapphire: A member of the corundum mineral family, the orange sapphire owes its spectacular color to the trace amounts of iron and chromium present within its chemical composition. This exotic-looking jewel can be found in different shades ranging from yellowish-orange to reddish-orange.
Citrine: Hailing from the quartz family, citrines get their color from the iron in their chemical structure. They are available in several shades varying from a pale yellow to a honey-yellow hue with a smokey brown tint.

2. Symbolism

Orange Sapphire: The deep, rich hue of this gem is often associated with wisdom and power.
Citrine: On the other hand, the citrine’s vibrant color is typically used to represent positivity and emotional well-being.

3. Rarity

Orange Sapphire: This gemstone is one of the rarest variations of the sapphire, and can only be found in Sri Lanka and parts of Africa.
Citrine: Similarly, natural citrines are exceptionally rare gemstones and are mined in Brazil, Russia, and France.

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4. Durability

Orange Sapphire: With an impressive rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, the orange sapphire is an exceptionally durable jewel. It is sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear of daily life and is especially a spectacular engagement ring option.
Citrine: Citrines are slightly less durable than orange sapphires and have a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale. That said, it has no gemstone cleavage – a feature that results in breakage when subjected to a hard blow.

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5. Clarity

Orange Sapphire: Most orange sapphires tend to have tiny crystals and needle-like inclusions. This is typically due to the immense pressure under which these gemstones are formed.
Citrine: These stones are generally eye-clean. This means that they contain no visible inclusions.

6. Treatment

Orange Sapphire: Most of these gems are heat-treated to improve their color and reduce the appearance of minute flaws.
Citrine: As natural citrines are incredibly rare, majority of the stones available in the market today are typically created from either smokey quartz or amethysts. It is usually done with the help of heat treatment.
It is important to note that citrines created from smokey quartz or amethysts have the same chemical composition as natural citrines, hence they are considered to be real.

7. Affordability

Orange Sapphire: Being as unique as it is, it’s no surprise that the orange sapphire is an extremely expensive birthstone. Its price will rise considerably as the carat weight increases.
Citrine: The citrine is comparatively a much more affordable gemstone. Also the carat weight of this gem does not have a significant impact on its price. This means you can enjoy a bigger citrine stone without worrying too much about the increase in cost.

8. Desirability

Orange Sapphire: Beautiful, rare and durable, the orange sapphire is a highly sought-after jewel and a great choice for those who’re looking for a precious, yet dramatic gem.
Citrine: This gem might not be as popular as the sapphire, still citrines are desired for their stunning hue and affordability.