Gem Profile- Citrine and Ametrine
At the end of my macrocrystalline quartz article featuring amethyst, I mentioned that when transparent amethyst is heated its purple through gray hues will become shades of yellow, gold, and brown. The resulting product is better known as citrine. Natural citrine obtains its bright sunny color from iron oxide and usually shows uneven color zones, can be translucent to milky, and is extremely rare; therefore almost all of the citrine on the market is actually heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz (the subject of next week's gem profile). It doesn't matter if a yellow quartz stone is natural or if it has been heat-treated, it is still legally named "citrine."
Originally a chunk of amethyst stalactite, this specimen has been heat-treated to produce a lovely citrine, and resides in Dale's studio.
Judy Copeland wrapped this raw citrine in a harness frame, along with polished citrine heart-framed earrings and ring in gold colored round wire.
About Citrine
The name citrine comes from the French word citron, meaning citrus, often associated with lemons, and the Latin word citrina, meaning yellow.
Citrine is abundant and affordable, and its color has inspired many labels. Heat-treated amethyst can produce shades called lemon yellow, canary yellow, honey, yellow-orange, and yellow-brown.
If a citrine is labeled lime or yellow-gold, it is likely heat-treated smoky quartz.
Two wire wrap rings by Elaine Pataky, oneusing an amethyst crystal and sterling silve wire, and the other a citrine crystal and 14/20 gold fill wire.
The name citrine comes from the French word citron, meaning citrus, often associated with lemons, and the Latin word citrina, meaning yellow.
Citrine is abundant and affordable, and its color has inspired many labels. Heat-treated amethyst can produce shades called lemon yellow, canary yellow, honey, yellow-orange, and yellow-brown.
If a citrine is labeled lime or yellow-gold, it is likely heat-treated smoky quartz.
Two wire wrap rings by Elaine Pataky, oneusing an amethyst crystal and sterling silve wire, and the other a citrine crystal and 14/20 gold fill wire.
I own a few pieces of what was sold to me as "top" citrine about 17 years ago.
The deep orange color at the bottom of the stone's pavilion flashes through the facets, giving it an almost glowing effect.
Today, marketing has introduced new names for different citrine colors, including whiskey, cognac, champagne, and "butterscotch."
I had never heard of butterscotch quartz before, and research suggests it is likely a treated type of silica rather than natural.
A variety of faceted citrine, from left to right: 3 "top" citrine, 4 cognac, one natural citrine, 3 lemon and 1 sherry. With the exception of the little stone in the center, all have been cut from heat-treated material.
The deep orange color at the bottom of the stone's pavilion flashes through the facets, giving it an almost glowing effect.
Today, marketing has introduced new names for different citrine colors, including whiskey, cognac, champagne, and "butterscotch."
I had never heard of butterscotch quartz before, and research suggests it is likely a treated type of silica rather than natural.
A variety of faceted citrine, from left to right: 3 "top" citrine, 4 cognac, one natural citrine, 3 lemon and 1 sherry. With the exception of the little stone in the center, all have been cut from heat-treated material.
Natural citrine deposits mainly of a pale yellow color are occasionally found in Brazil, Spain, Russia, France, Madagascar, Scotland, and Colorado, US.
Heat-treated "amethyst" citrine can come from all over the world, as the least attractive and less vibrant purples of amethyst are chosen to turn into the more desirable citrine lapidary material, while deeper colors of amethyst are heated to create deep orange and sherry colored stones.
Warning: no matter what the color, citrine will fade in bright sunlight!
A 24-inch strand of huge, chunky, milky citrine beads. (I am still wondering why I bought these!)
Heat-treated "amethyst" citrine can come from all over the world, as the least attractive and less vibrant purples of amethyst are chosen to turn into the more desirable citrine lapidary material, while deeper colors of amethyst are heated to create deep orange and sherry colored stones.
Warning: no matter what the color, citrine will fade in bright sunlight!
A 24-inch strand of huge, chunky, milky citrine beads. (I am still wondering why I bought these!)
Citrine can be used as the modern birthstone for those born in November.
I believe this decision may have come from two sources. In the past, citrine was marketed as "gold topaz," causing citrine to be named "Brazilian Topaz" for a while and topaz is the traditional November birthstone; and one of the stones described in the Bible as having been used in Aaron's Breastplate, from which most birthstones evolved, could have been citrine.
So, topaz or citrine? The easiest way to tell citrine/quartz from topaz is to gently feel each stone.
Topaz will feel a bit soft and almost soapy or silky, whereas quartz will feel hard and smooth like glass.
Heat-treated citrine can be found as very affordable, large cut stones!
I believe this decision may have come from two sources. In the past, citrine was marketed as "gold topaz," causing citrine to be named "Brazilian Topaz" for a while and topaz is the traditional November birthstone; and one of the stones described in the Bible as having been used in Aaron's Breastplate, from which most birthstones evolved, could have been citrine.
So, topaz or citrine? The easiest way to tell citrine/quartz from topaz is to gently feel each stone.
Topaz will feel a bit soft and almost soapy or silky, whereas quartz will feel hard and smooth like glass.
Heat-treated citrine can be found as very affordable, large cut stones!
Citrine is the anniversary stone for the 11th year of marriage.
Legends tell of early Greek and Roman people associating citrine with the planet Mercury and it was believed to protect one from the venom of both a snakebite and evil thoughts and words, carrying "the power of the sun."
Personally, I always have a large citrine crystal in my money bag, as citrine is known as the "merchant's stone," said to attract money and success (every little bit helps!).
Part of Dale's personal collection of designer-cut citrine beads along with part of a wired design that is "in the process."
Legends tell of early Greek and Roman people associating citrine with the planet Mercury and it was believed to protect one from the venom of both a snakebite and evil thoughts and words, carrying "the power of the sun."
Personally, I always have a large citrine crystal in my money bag, as citrine is known as the "merchant's stone," said to attract money and success (every little bit helps!).
Part of Dale's personal collection of designer-cut citrine beads along with part of a wired design that is "in the process."
What is Ametrine?
OK, so now I have a question for you dear reader: what happens when Mother Nature creates a truly beautiful and rare stone that is highly desirable? Answer: man finds a way to duplicate or replicate it! Such is the sad truth about the lovely, bicolor quartz that we know as ametrine.
Mainly found in one location on earth, eastern Bolivia, half of this stone is violet and half is yellow-orange. Ametrine's commercial name comes from a combination of amethyst and citrine. Ametrine is also known as Bolivianite.
Connie Drake wire wrapped this ametrine gem into a Pharaoh's Ring design with gold wire.
OK, so now I have a question for you dear reader: what happens when Mother Nature creates a truly beautiful and rare stone that is highly desirable? Answer: man finds a way to duplicate or replicate it! Such is the sad truth about the lovely, bicolor quartz that we know as ametrine.
Mainly found in one location on earth, eastern Bolivia, half of this stone is violet and half is yellow-orange. Ametrine's commercial name comes from a combination of amethyst and citrine. Ametrine is also known as Bolivianite.
Connie Drake wire wrapped this ametrine gem into a Pharaoh's Ring design with gold wire.
Although ametrine was known to natives for thousands of years, it wasn't "discovered" by modern people until a few hundred years ago.
The legend of the Anahi mine tells of a Spanish conquistador who received a dowry of a grotto covered in ametrine crystals when he was to marry Princess Anahi. At the time, Europeans were focused on finding gold and silver, so the crystals held little significance for him.
When it was time to return to Spain, Princess Anahi's tribe plotted to kill the Spaniard to keep her from leaving. She warned him and gave him the ametrine crystal she wore as an amulet.
It is said she visited the grotto one last time before mysteriously disappearing. Only later did the Spaniard realize that the bicolor crystal symbolized her love for both her country and him.
100% natural Bolivian ametrine stones, some carved and some faceted that Dale bought when she worked with a gemstone vendor back in the early 1990s. Notice how they do not have a definite line separating the violet from the yellow.
The legend of the Anahi mine tells of a Spanish conquistador who received a dowry of a grotto covered in ametrine crystals when he was to marry Princess Anahi. At the time, Europeans were focused on finding gold and silver, so the crystals held little significance for him.
When it was time to return to Spain, Princess Anahi's tribe plotted to kill the Spaniard to keep her from leaving. She warned him and gave him the ametrine crystal she wore as an amulet.
It is said she visited the grotto one last time before mysteriously disappearing. Only later did the Spaniard realize that the bicolor crystal symbolized her love for both her country and him.
100% natural Bolivian ametrine stones, some carved and some faceted that Dale bought when she worked with a gemstone vendor back in the early 1990s. Notice how they do not have a definite line separating the violet from the yellow.
Ametrine is relatively new to the modern gem world, officially appearing at the Tucson gem shows in 1979.
Naturally occurring ametrine is highly prized by lapidaries, who cut and carve it into various jewelry pieces.
Because it is found in only one small country, the best-quality natural ametrine with perfect color distribution and definition became increasingly rare.
Scientist Dr. Kurt Nassau developed the heat-treatment method used today to produce ametrine stones with "perfect" color balance.
When heating amethyst to create citrine, a pale raspberry hue can occasionally appear, sometimes called champagne quartz.
Two samples of what could be called champagne quartz.
Naturally occurring ametrine is highly prized by lapidaries, who cut and carve it into various jewelry pieces.
Because it is found in only one small country, the best-quality natural ametrine with perfect color distribution and definition became increasingly rare.
Scientist Dr. Kurt Nassau developed the heat-treatment method used today to produce ametrine stones with "perfect" color balance.
When heating amethyst to create citrine, a pale raspberry hue can occasionally appear, sometimes called champagne quartz.
Two samples of what could be called champagne quartz.
Resources
Print Resources:
Love is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
Gems and Minerals of the Bible by Ruth V. Wright and Robert Chadbourne, Harper & Row, 1954
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Curzio Cipriani and Alessandro Borelli, ISBN 0-671-60430-9
Internet Resources:
www.wikipedia.org
Print Resources:
Love is in the Earth by Melody, ISBN 0-9628190-3-4
Gems and Minerals of the Bible by Ruth V. Wright and Robert Chadbourne, Harper & Row, 1954
Minerals of the World by Walter Schumann, ISBN 0-8069-8570-4
Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones by Curzio Cipriani and Alessandro Borelli, ISBN 0-671-60430-9
Internet Resources:
www.wikipedia.org
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Dale Armstrong
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