Citrine: 6 Facts

1. Citrine is an alternate birthstone for November. 

Topaz is the traditional November birthstone, but citrine can be similar in appearance to yellow topaz. Topaz and citrine are often listed as the birthstone for November. 

2. Citrine is a form of quartz.

Natural citrine is rare. Most citrine used in jewelry is another quartz, such as amethyst, that is heat treated to produce the desired yellow color.

3. The yellow color of natural citrine comes from iron in the quartz.

The iron oxidizes to produce a color.

4. Citrine is found on most continents.

I was able to find multiple websites that listed citrine as naturally occurring in North America, South America, Europe, Russia, and Africa. What everyone seems to agree on is that if there is amethyst, it is possible for citrine to form.

5. Ametrine is a gem that has both amethyst and citrine.

Ametrine rarely, if ever, occurs naturally. Most ametrine is produced in Bolivia.

6. Yellow citrine is an affordable gemstone.

Compared to gems like sapphires and opals, citrine is one of the more affordable gemstones.