Citrine

🔍How to identify Citrine

1. Yellow-orange quartz, glassy, hardness 7
2. Heat-treated stones often have a deep orange-red tone and may show a whitish base from the original rock
3. Natural citrine is usually a paler, smoky yellow

👯Often confused with

• Yellow topazheavier, harder
• Yellow glass
• Yellow sapphire
• Citrine-colored synthetic quartz

🧪Real or fake?

• A deep, even orange-red citrine is more likely heat-treated amethyst than natural stone; this is normal and widely accepted in the trade
• Glass imitations are common: look for bubbles, and remember glass is clearly softer than quartz

💰Is Citrine valuable?

Inexpensive. Be skeptical of 'natural' claims on very bright orange stones.

Typical retail prices

Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.

What changes the price

• Natural or heated: most citrine is heated amethyst or smoky quartz, true natural citrine is rare and costs more
• Color: a medium golden to 'Madeira' orange is prized; very pale stones are cheap
• Clarity and size: clean, large stones are common, so price per carat stays modest
• Cut: well-cut, precision stones cost more than rough or tumbled material