How to Buy Citrine

Whether you’re shopping for a birthstone for a November birthday, a 13th wedding anniversary, or just an affordable piece of jewelry to complement any style, citrine makes a perfect gift.

Citrine is one of the most affordable and abundant gemstones on the market. Even fine, large gems are modestly priced, which means anyone can find citrine to fit their budget.

Citrine gemstones can be evaluated by the same factors as diamonds. Because most citrine gems on the market have been heat treated—and because it takes an expert to detect these enhancements—it’s wise to shop with an American Gem Society jeweler who can help you choose the best gemstone for your taste and budget.

The finest citrine gemstones are saturated with yellow, orange, and reddish hues, while gemstones of lower value appear pale or smoky. Earth tones of amber brown are also increasingly popular.

Because these colors are rare in nature, most citrine is created by heating less expensive varieties of quartz, including amethyst and smoky quartz, to produce vibrant yellow gemstones. Most citrine on the market has been heat treated to enhance its beauty.

Citrine is readily available in sizes up to 20 carats—and, because its price doesn’t rise exponentially with carat weight, big gemstones are relatively inexpensive.

At its largest, citrine can weigh hundreds and even thousands of carats, like a Brazilian gemstone at the Smithsonian Institution weighing 2,258 carats.

Thanks to the abundance of citrine, and the treatment methods that turn less expensive stones into this yellow gemstone, it’s easy to find citrine at a good price.

If you are looking for citrine birthstone jewelry, click here to find a jeweler near you.