Colored gemstone fans consider citrine to be at the top of their must-collect list. The sunny yellow stones are celebrated for their cheerful range of hues and exceptional clarity. These appealing traits are classic to the material’s species – quartz. Quartz, as many rockhounds are well aware, is about the most abundant mineral on earth.
This pleasant gemstone has been beloved for centuries and took its pretty name from Old French, meaning lemon. How apt.
A Deeply Storied Past
The luminous stone harkens back to ancient China, we’re told. They called it ‘The Stone of Success’, and because of that, Chinese people believed citrine should only be given to generous and worthy people. Citrine jewelry was revered by China’s ancient emperors who said it had an ability to increase intellectual capabilities.
Modern Chinese students, it’s said, keep citrine on hand to help them succeed in exams. Their professors have citrines nearby to aid their lecturing.
With a Mohs Scale hardness rating of 7, citrine resists scratching and is durable enough for day-to-day wear. Citrine is mainly produced in Brazil. Quantities can be found in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Spain, Burma, Canada, and in the US, Colorado.
Available in large crystal sizes, this stone is ideal for many applications. If you look long enough, you’ll discover gemstone artists using large citrine crystals for sculptural work, besides jewelry.
Big Discovery
How large does citrine get, you wonder? In 2010, possibly the largest citrine was unveiled in Malaga, Spain – and it weighed over 20,200 carats. It was actually found in Brazil, but it took on the Malaga moniker since it was shown for the first time to the international gemstone world in Malaga, Spain.
Thanks for the Color
Citrine owes its delightful tint to the presence of iron in the quartz. The greater the concentration of iron, the more intense the coloration. So you’ll see tones ranging from pale yellow – similar to lemonade, all the way to an intense reddish-brown – think strong Lipton tea.
The reddish-brown varieties display a range of tints. They are lesser known and offer intriguing options as a jewelry choice. Madeira Citrine, one such variety of citrine is rich and complex in its coloration. Gemstone fans who adore spessartites, padparadschas, and orange sapphire and zircon will take quickly to Madeira citrine.
Madeira for the Win
The sophisticated Madeira citrine tint was named after the Brazilian word meaning wood, or wood colored. But it is also associated with Madeira wine – that robust caramel colored Portuguese drink that originated in the Madeira Islands off the coast of Africa. That kind of citrine deserves a toast!
Madeira citrine can be found in Zambia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Madagascar. Before we had reliable gemstone testing, the variety was often mistaken for topaz.
Nowadays, Madeira citrine is considered one of the most coveted of citrine’s varieties. While it can hold its own in the company of orange sapphire, zircon, spessartite garnet and the like, its affordable price points makes it especially attractive. Madeira citrine’s use in bridal jewelry and other special jewelry is affordable for the designer as well as the price conscious consumer.
