![]() With the advancement of technology it's now easier than ever to replicate almost anything. Throughout history humans have copied and reproduced anything that's rare or highly sought after. The largest producer of "fake" citrine is Brazil and ironically they're also the world's largest producers of natural citrine. The vast majority of "citrine" being sold around the world is heated amethyst. Named after the French word "citron" meaning lemon citrine is the yellow variety of the mineral quartz. People are often surprised to learn real citrine is relatively rare. After heat treatment, it can become a deep purple or even a bright violet.Fake Citrine is Natural Amethyst How to Tell Heated Amethyst from Real Citrine The natural color of amethyst is usually a light mauve or lavender. This process imitates that which occurs naturally in nature, but the results are much more intense and vibrant. This process causes a reaction between the trace amounts of iron within the quartz and oxygen in the atmosphere. The amethyst is subjected to extreme heat, usually in the range of 1750-1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Humans create Amethyst in lab or factory environments. When the quartz crystals are exposed to high temperatures and aqueous fluids, their iron content may oxidize, leading to citrine’s yellow or orange coloration. ![]() It is within these pockets that quartz crystals initially form before any coloration occurs. As molten rock moves through the mantle, it causes turbulence that creates pressure-filled pockets where gems can begin to take shape. Most gemstones begin to form in this layer of Earth. These gorgeous metaphysical stones contribute quiet beauty wherever they appear, readily adding delicate touches to any interior design scheme.Ĭitrine begins its formation process within Earth’s mantle. Macrocrystalline quartz forms larger aggregates, while cryptocrystalline forms denser masses with much smaller crystals. The unique appearance of citrine and amethyst is largely due to their crystalline structures. ![]() In nature, these cryptocrystalline structures often appear as points or drusy formations on rocks and cliffsides where they are visible to the naked eye. Amethyst has long been sought after for its beautiful purple hue-which comes from trace amounts of iron within the crystal structure-and can be cut into cabochons for use in jewelry and artworks. When the stone is in geode form, it is heat-treated, meaning it was originally an Amethyst stone that has been transformed.Īmethyst is classified as cryptocrystalline quartz due to its smaller individual crystals that grow into dense masses or fibrous shapes like needles or plates. This is why you often see citrine with its characteristic yellow-orange color appearing in geodes and other decorative pieces. ![]() Citrine is often found in clusters or “beds” of small interlocking crystals that can form intricate patterns. These aggregates can form shapes such as cubes, pyramids, rods, and even spheres. This type of quartz has large, well-formed crystals that grow together over time into an aggregate structure. Citrine is part of the family of quartz stones known as macrocrystalline quartz. Amethyst can reveal beautiful blue and red hues depending on light exposure, yet these colors may diminish due to heat or light overexposure.Ĭitrine and amethyst come in various shapes, sizes, and cuts. The color of amethyst is determined by the amount of iron and other trace elements in its chemical composition. This gemstone can range from pale lavender to intense violet and has more muted hues, such as grayish-purple or brownish-purple. AmethystĪmethyst is a deep, rich purple hue with a hint of reddish-brown and blue tones. The quality of citrine is determined by how light or dark the gemstone appears. When light is shone through the stone, it may have a hint of yellow or orange. For example, citrine from Congo often has a greenish hue, while citrine from Zambia can appear more brownish. The color can also have a more greenish or brownish tone, depending on where it was mined. This gemstone has a yellowish-orange hue that ranges from pale yellow to deep golden orange. Citrine and amethyst are both members of the quartz family and share many similarities in color.
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