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Quartz · SiO₂ · 7

Citrine

Citrine is yellow to orange quartz. Natural citrine is rare and is usually a pale yellow or soft amber. Most citrine sold today is amethyst that has been heated until its purple turns yellow, orange or reddish brown. That is a standard, permanent treatment, and the result is still quartz, so it is not a fake. But it is not natural citrine either. The orange-tipped clusters on white bases sold as citrine are almost always heated amethyst. Citrine is November's birthstone, along with topaz.

From the ground to your hand

The same stone at four moments. Tap a photo of a listing to see it on Amazon.

  1. 01 In the ground (step 1 of 4)

    A natural citrine crystal from Araçuaí, Brazil: soft amber, never heated.

    A natural citrine crystal from Araçuaí, Brazil: soft amber, never heated.

    Real specimen. Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0.

  2. 02 Raw (step 2 of 4)

    Half a pound of rough sold as citrine. Most rough like this is heated amethyst.

    Half a pound of rough sold as citrine. Most rough like this is heated amethyst.

    Amazon listing photo. See it on Amazon

  3. 03 Cut (step 3 of 4)

    A 15 mm round citrine, about 12 ct, Portuguese cut, from Instagem.

    A 15 mm round citrine, about 12 ct, Portuguese cut, from Instagem.

    Amazon listing photo. See it on Amazon

  4. 04 Set (step 4 of 4)

    A 4.60 ct citrine in an 18kt gold over sterling ring by Ross-Simons.

    A 4.60 ct citrine in an 18kt gold over sterling ring by Ross-Simons.

    Amazon listing photo. See it on Amazon

Mineral
Quartz (silicon dioxide), the same species as amethyst
Colour from
Natural citrine: trace iron and natural irradiation. Most commercial citrine: heated amethyst
Hardness
7, fine for everyday jewellery
Grown in labs?
Yes, synthetic quartz can be grown yellow, but most citrine on sale is heated natural amethyst
Main sources
Heated: amethyst from Brazil, Uruguay and elsewhere. Natural: small amounts from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar and Russia

Famous citrine in museums

What the finest natural stones look like: real pieces in public collections. The whole gem museum.

The Iris Corsage Ornament by Tiffany & Co.: An iris brooch designed by G. Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co. and shown at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900. The petals are Montana sapphires, the bearding on the petals is set with citrines, and the leaf-like sheaths on the stem are demantoid garnets.
The Iris Corsage Ornament by Tiffany & Co.An iris brooch designed by G. Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co. and shown at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900. The petals are Montana sapphires, the bearding on the petals is set with citrines, and the leaf-like sheaths on the stem are demantoid garnets.Walters Art Museum, BaltimoreTiffany & Co. iris brooch of about 1900: sapphire petals, citrine bearding and demantoid garnets on the stem. Walters Art Museum.Photo: Walters Art Museum, Public domain.
A French gold brooch with citrines and amethysts: A gold brooch made in France about 1820 to 1840, with a large yellow citrine at its centre and drops of citrine and amethyst.
A French gold brooch with citrines and amethystsA gold brooch made in France about 1820 to 1840, with a large yellow citrine at its centre and drops of citrine and amethyst.Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New YorkA French gold brooch of about 1820 to 1840 set with citrines and amethysts, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.Photo: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Public domain.

Natural citrine vs heated amethyst and imitations

Mined and lab-grown citrine are the same mineral; this is what differs
Natural citrineHeated amethyst (most "citrine")
What it isQuartz that grew yellow in natureNatural amethyst heated until it turns yellow to orange
ColourPale yellow, champagne or soft amber, often a little smokyGolden to orange, often with a reddish tint; clusters have orange tips on white bases
Tell-tale signEven, gentle colour; usually sold by specialist sellers with a stated originColour concentrated in the crystal tips; white or clear base below
PriceMore than heated citrine for the same look, and hard to findLow: a few dollars to tens of dollars a carat
How it is listedSays natural, unheated or untreated, often names Congo, Brazil or MadagascarUsually just "citrine" or "natural citrine"

The word natural on a citrine listing usually means natural quartz, not natural colour. If a cluster or geode has deep orange tips on a white or clear base, it is heated amethyst whatever the title says. True natural citrine is paler, rarer and usually sold as single crystals or points with a named locality. Treat faceted citrine as heated unless the seller says otherwise.

Treatments. Heat is the big one: most citrine on the market is amethyst, or sometimes smoky quartz, heated to turn it yellow, orange or reddish brown. The colour is stable and permanent. Natural citrine can fade with long exposure to strong light and heat, so keep it out of hot sunny windows. Clean with warm soapy water. All gem treatments explained.

Where natural citrine comes from

Pins mark mining districts, not exact mines. Drag to move, pinch or scroll to zoom, tap a pin to read about it. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

List of every place on the map (6)
  • Citrine: Rio Grande do Sul (Ametista do Sul), Brazil. Huge amethyst geode mines. Much of the world's commercial citrine is amethyst from here and from neighbouring Uruguay, heated. Position approximate.
  • Citrine: Araçuaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Pegmatite region that has produced natural citrine crystals. Position approximate.
  • Citrine: Kundelungu plateau, Katanga, DR Congo. Source of natural citrine points, often sold as Congo or Kundalini citrine. Position approximate.
  • Citrine: Dalnegorsk, Primorsky Krai, Russia. A famous mineral district that has produced rare natural citrine crystals.
  • Citrine: Anahí mine, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The main source of natural ametrine: amethyst and citrine in the same crystal. Position approximate.
  • Citrine: Madagascar, Madagascar. Produces some natural citrine along with other quartz. Position approximate.

How it is cut

Lab citrine is mostly machine-cut in calibrated sizes, which is why a cut lab stone costs little more than its rough. Fine mined stones are often native-cut to keep weight, then recut by precision cutters. See cuts from easiest to hardest and whether cutting your own is cheaper than buying cut.

What to buy

Checked in stock on October 10, 2026. Photos are the listings' own; prices are rounded.

Reading a gem listingGem treatments

The citrine shop: 18 more pieces we trust

Every piece names the real stone and comes from a seller with a record, checked in stock on October 11, 2026. Photos are the listings' own; prices are rounded.

Loose stones11.5 to 12.75 ctInstagem citrine, round Portuguese cut, 15 mm, about 11.5 to 12.75 ctA big, deep-cut round. Assume heated amethyst unless told otherwise.about $165on Amazon →Loose stones10 ctInstagem lemon citrine, round star cut, 15 mm, about 10 ctPale lemon yellow.about $39on Amazon →Loose stonesInstagem citrine, cushion checkerboard, 8 mm, AAAA (heirloom grade)about $55on Amazon →Loose stones3.2 to 3.75 ctInstagem citrine, oval, 12 x 9 mm, about 3.2 to 3.75 ctA starter-priced faceted citrine.about $27on Amazon →Loose stones2.4 to 2.95 ctInstagem citrine, pear, 12 x 8 mm, about 2.4 to 2.95 ct, AAAabout $33on Amazon →Carvings and decorGAF Treasures polished honey citrine cluster with cut base, 3 to 4 lbHeated amethyst, sold as citrine.about $140on Amazon →Carvings and decorGeodora citrine crystal cluster, about 0.72 lbHeated amethyst, sold as citrine.about $36on Amazon →Raw and tumbledZentron rough citrine crystal stones, 1/2 lbMostly heat-treated amethyst points; the orange tips give it away.about $11on Amazon →Raw and tumbledZenkeeper raw citrine crystal stones, 1 lbMostly heat-treated amethyst points.about $18on Amazon →BeadsJustinstones citrine faceted round beads, 4 mm, 16 in strandabout $13on Amazon →BeadsGEM-Inside natural yellow citrine quartz faceted beads, 3 mm, 15 in strandabout $10on Amazon →BeadsJoe Foreman yellow citrine round beads, 3 mm, 15 in strandabout $11on Amazon →

Your kit for citrine

Five tools that let you check what you bought (a loupe, a UV torch, locking tweezers, a gem box and a pocket scale), plus a turntable that spins your stone under the light the way jewellers show one. The full collector's kit.

LookGemOro 10x triplet loupeunder $20LookDARKBEAM filtered 365 nm UV flashlightabout $10HandleHonoson locking tweezers, 3 packabout $10StoreTeensery gem display boxes with clear lids, 10 packabout $9ShowComXim motorized turntable, adjustable speed and directionabout $15MeasureGemOro Platinum XP500 pocket scale, 0.01 gabout $40

In short

Citrine grows over millions of years in the earth, or in hours to months in a lab. Both are real citrine; the mined stone is rare and priced for rarity, the lab stone is priced for the cost of growing it. Buy lab to wear and enjoy, check the listing names the mineral, and test it when it arrives.

See our first pick: Instagem citrine, cushion checkerboard cut, 14 x 12 mm, about 7 to 8.6 ct

Frequently Asked Questions

Is most citrine fake?

It is not fake, but most of it is heated amethyst. Amethyst is heated until the purple turns yellow or orange. It is still real quartz, but it is not natural citrine.

How can I tell natural citrine from heated amethyst?

Heated amethyst is usually orange to reddish, and clusters show dark orange tips fading into a white base. Natural citrine is a softer, more even pale yellow or amber. A gem lab can confirm it.

Where does natural citrine come from?

Small amounts come from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Russia and a few other places. Natural citrine is far rarer than amethyst.

What is ametrine?

Quartz that is part amethyst and part citrine in one crystal. Most natural ametrine comes from the Anahí mine in eastern Bolivia.

Does citrine fade?

Natural citrine can fade with long exposure to strong sunlight or heat. Heated citrine is generally stable. Either way, do not leave it in a hot window.

Photo credits

  • quartz-60953.webp: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Product photos: Amazon listings, via the Amazon Product Advertising (Creators) API.

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