Gemstones
Amethyst and Citrine: The Quartz Family
Amethyst and citrine are both varieties of quartz, and much commercial citrine is actually heat-treated amethyst.
Shared mineral origin
Amethyst's purple colour and citrine's yellow-to-orange colour both come from trace iron within quartz, with the difference in colour driven by the iron's oxidation state and any heat exposure.
Heat-treated citrine is common
A large share of citrine sold commercially is produced by heating amethyst or smoky quartz, which is a stable, accepted, and typically undisclosed-as-rare practice; natural, untreated citrine is comparatively uncommon.
Durability and value
Both stones sit at 7 on the Mohs scale, making them durable for daily wear. Because quartz is abundant, prices stay accessible even for larger, finely coloured stones.
Buyer checklist
- ✓ Ask whether citrine is natural or heat-treated amethyst
- ✓ Check colour saturation and evenness, which vary by source
- ✓ Expect accessible pricing even for large stones
Verification tools & references
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