How Can You Tell if a Citrine Is Real?

If emotions could be expressed through the medium of hues, the vibrant shade of a citrine would indicate happiness. Fun and lively, this gem is greatly desired all over the world. And it has resulted in one very important question – real vs. fake citrines

But First, What Is a Citrine?

It is a semi-precious gemstone that belongs to the quartz family. Interestingly, this stone gets its hue from the presence of iron within its chemical structure. Based on its concentration, the citrine can be found in a host of shades, ranging from pale yellow to brownish-red. And while orange is the colour most associated with citrine, stones with a saturated golden hue and fiery orange flashes are the most sought-after.

What Does Citrine Look Like?

Believe it or not, the majority of citrines present in the market are actually heat-treated amethysts or smoky quartz.

Raw amethysts are dichroic in nature and generally feature a reddish violet and bluish violet. Once mined, these stones are exposed to varying temperatures (somewhere between 750- and 1700-degrees Fahrenheit) at regular intervals until they reach the desired hue.

An interesting point to note is that the original colour of the amethyst can greatly influence the citrine’s final shade. Here, the darker the shade is, the richer the stone will be.

Did You Know?

That because of its peppy yet intense shade, the citrine is commonly associated with two prominent goddesses – Demeter (the Greek goddess of harvest and productivity) and Sekhmet (the Egyptian goddess of war and power).

What Are the Different Types of Citrines Sold?

Interestingly, one can find a variety of citrines in the market today. These beauties can generally be classified into three broad categories:

• Natural Citrines
• Treated Citrines
• Fake Citrines

What Are the Characteristics of a Natural Citrine?

The chemical composition of these stones includes iron. And due to this, they naturally exhibit the signature golden-orange hue. Having said that, as mentioned before, natural citrines are exceptionally rare. To combat this issue, the fine jewellery industry has embraced the creation of treated citrines.

What Are Treated Citrines?

These semi-precious gems are created by heat-treating smoky quartz stones and/or amethysts to gain the desired colour. Many gemstone newbies try differentiating the two and debating the pros and cons of natural citrines vs. heat treated amethysts. However, it’s worth noting that both these gems (like natural citrines) are part of the quartz family. This essentially means that they display the same properties and chemical structure as natural citrines, hence treated citrines are considered authentic.

Are Treated Citrines Different From Fake Citrines?

They definitely are! Fake citrines are often created from a variety of other materials, such as dyed glass, and do not have the same properties and chemical structure as a natural citrine.

3 Steps to Know if Your Citrine Is Real

When it comes to real vs. fake citrines, there are three major ways in which you can tell the difference. The same are as follows:

• Inspect the Colour

As with most gemstones, citrines tend to have a relatively even hue all over. Hence, a great way to distinguish a real gemstone from a fake one is to closely observe the stone’s colour. If you notice an abrupt change in hue at different points on the stone, it could be a fake.

• Cheque the Clarity

Citrines are known for being eye-clean. This means that they tend to lack any flaws or imperfections that can be seen with the naked eye. Keeping this in mind, hold your gem under a bright white light and examine it from different angles. If you notice any eye-visible spots or inclusions in the stone, it could be a fake.

• Search for Bubbles

Unsurprisingly, coloured glass is one of the most common materials used to create fake citrines. A sure-fire way to notice the difference is to hold your gem against bright light and view it through a microscope or jeweller’s loupe. If you notice tiny air bubbles in the stone then it is probably a fake.

It is important to note that in most cases, only an experienced professional would be able to distinguish between a real and fake citrine with 100% certainty. Taking this into consideration, we highly recommend getting your jewel chequeed by a professional jeweller if you want to make sure that it is real.

Does the Citrine Feature Any Healing Properties?

Generally speaking, the citrine is believed to have several healing properties. The same can be grouped as follows:

• Physical Healing Properties

Because of its sunny hue, many people wear the citrine to garner more energy throughout the day. They also use it to treat various ailments like chronic fatigue, nausea and allergic reactions, for example. Apart from this, the stone is frequently flaunted to ensure a healthy thyroid and digestive system as well as better blood circulation.

• Mental and Emotional Healing Properties

Coming to its effect on our emotional state, the citrine is commonly used to alleviate our negative emotions (like anger and sadness, for instance) and replace them with positive ones.

• Metaphysical Properties

In terms of its metaphysical properties, this semi-precious jewel is commonly used to keep the negative energy at bay and connect the individual to their Solar Plexus Chakra (the chakra of strength) and the Sacral Chakra (the chakra of passion, creativity and intimacy). For the unaware, these chakras are power points that are situated at the centre of the body and close to the pubic bone respectively. They are said to help an individual stay healthy and grounded.

Important Note: There is currently no scientific evidence that proves the stone’s above-mentioned abilities.

So, Should You Buy a Citrine?

Absolutely! While there are several reasons for the same, the three main ones are as follows:

• It Is Relatively Durable: With a 7 out of 10 rating on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, the citrine is a relatively durable gemstone. This makes it a great option for an everyday jewellery item like a glittering pendant, for example.
• Its Clarity Is Unparalleled: As touched upon before, the majority of citrines available today are eye-clean. This factor greatly enhances the jewel’s appeal.
• Its Unique Symbolism: Often associated with happiness, positivity and growth, the symbolism of the citrine comes as no surprise, especially considering the gem’s sunny hue. And needless to say, these associations have added a touch of relatability to the stone that’s sure to enchant everyone who lays their eyes on it.

Is the Citrine a Good Gift for Someone?

Most definitely! Being the November birthstone as well as the celebration stone for one’s 11th and 13th wedding anniversaries, the citrine is a fantastic gift choice for major events. What’s more, the stone’s symbolism makes it extremely relatable and is destined to strike the right chord with every receiver.

Where Can You Buy a Citrine From?

From Angara of course! At our online jewellery store, you are sure to get the best citrines money can buy. Not only do we have an exceptionally large range of products and designs, but each piece can even be customised (in terms of gemstone grade, carat weight and metal) to suit your requirements, preferences and price point. That’s not all! Each piece has been carefully handcrafted with high-quality materials to offer you the best experience. Moreover, you also get a Certificate of Authenticity with every purchase.

Have You Considered a GIA-Certified Citrine?

If you’re a first-time gemstone buyer and authenticity is something you’re worried about, then we highly recommend opting for one of our GIA-Certified citrines. One of the premier gemstone organisations in the world, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) works towards protecting jewellery lovers and collectors alike from imitation pieces. They achieve this task through a series of stringent and unbiased gemstone evaluations. The resultant certificate is an extremely detailed one which highlights key details of the gemstone like the 4Cs (cut, colour, carat weight and clarity), for example. Needless to say, the details mentioned in this document are considered to be absolute and cannot be disputed by any jeweller anywhere else in the world. As such, you can rest assured knowing that the gemstone you purchase is 100% authentic.