Citrine Jewelry in Bangkok

Citrine is the sunny stone of November, a warm yellow to golden orange quartz that brings light to any piece of jewelry. Its color runs from pale lemon through honey and gold to the deep reddish orange known as Madeira. It is durable, easy to wear and one of the most affordable golden gems, even in large sizes. We set natural citrine in 925 sterling silver and solid gold at our studio on Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok.

This page covers what citrine is, how most citrine gets its color, how it compares with other yellow and orange gems, how to wear and care for it, what makes a good stone, where it comes from, the November birthstone, how to see the stones at our shop, and how to order in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand.

What citrine is

Citrine is the yellow to orange variety of quartz, the same mineral as amethyst and smoky quartz. Its color comes from traces of iron in the crystal. The name comes from the French citron, lemon.

Citrine that forms with its color in the ground is quite rare, and it is usually a pale, soft yellow. Most citrine sold around the world is amethyst, or sometimes smoky quartz, that has been heated. Heat changes the purple to yellow, gold or orange. This is a long accepted practice, the stone is still natural quartz, and the color is permanent.

We want you to know what you are buying. Every stone we set is natural, citrine included, and if a stone has had any treatment, such as heating, we tell you before you order.

Citrine facts at a glance

• Color: pale lemon, golden yellow, honey and deep reddish orange (Madeira)
• Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
• Family: quartz, the same mineral as amethyst and smoky quartz
• Treatment: most citrine is heated amethyst or smoky quartz; untreated citrine is rarer and paler
• Best for: rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets, including large statement stones
• Care: warm soapy water and a soft brush; keep away from strong heat
• Price: depends on the quality and carat you choose; we quote before you order

Citrine and other yellow and orange gems

Yellow sapphire is harder at 9 on the Mohs scale, brighter and much more expensive. Citrine gives a similar golden color for a fraction of the cost, especially in larger sizes. See our sapphire page for more.

Chrysoberyl is a brighter, slightly greener yellow at 8.5 on the Mohs scale. It is harder than citrine and usually costs more.

Heliodor, the yellow beryl, has a cooler lemon color and is a little harder at 7.5 to 8.

Golden topaz is harder at 8 and can show a peach or pink tone. Fine imperial topaz is rare and costs much more than citrine.

Spessartite, the orange garnet, is brighter than Madeira citrine with more sparkle, and it costs more.

How to wear and care for citrine

At 7 on the Mohs scale and with no cleavage, citrine is a good everyday stone for pendants and earrings, and for rings worn with some care. Dust contains quartz, which is also 7, so after years of daily wear a ring stone can lose some polish on the facet edges. Take your ring off for the gym, gardening and heavy work.

Clean it in warm soapy water with a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Keep it away from strong heat, such as a jeweler’s torch or very hot water, which can change the color. Store it apart from harder stones such as sapphire and diamond. If it ever needs a polish or a check of the setting, bring it to our shop. Maintenance is free on jewelry we made.

What makes a good citrine

Color comes first. The most valued citrine is a deep, saturated golden yellow to reddish orange with no brown or smoky tone. Bright lemon and pale yellow stones cost less and suit a light, fresh look.

Even color matters. A good citrine looks evenly colored across its face, without patches or bands of lighter and darker color.

Clarity is usually very good. Faceted citrine is normally clean to the eye, so you can expect a stone without visible inclusions.

Cut and size finish the picture. Citrine is found in large crystals, so big stones are easy to find and the price per carat rises only gently with size. A good cut brings out a lively, warm glow.

Where citrine comes from

Brazil is by far the largest source of citrine, most of it made from amethyst mined in the south of the country. Bolivia is known for citrine and for ametrine, a natural mix of amethyst and citrine in one stone. Citrine also comes from Madagascar, Zambia, Uruguay and Spain, and naturally colored stones are found in places such as Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you want to know the origin of a particular stone, ask us: we offer certified stones, and an uncertified stone can be sent to a gem lab for a report at extra cost.

The November birthstone

Citrine is a birthstone for November, together with topaz. Its warm golden color has long been linked with sunshine, warmth and good fortune, which makes it a cheerful gift for a November birthday. For every month, see our birthstone chart.

See citrine at our shop in Bangkok

Even color is what marks a good citrine, with no lighter or darker bands across the face, and the warmth of honey and gold tones is best judged in daylight. Tell us citrine is why you are coming, and stones from pale lemon to deep reddish orange will be ready, with a note on which were heated.

Walk in any time we are open, or book ahead so Yaron is there to help with the stone, the design and the metal, from 925 silver and gold plating to solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold.

A loose citrine makes a simple November birthday gift, and you can buy it on its own with no jewelry order. If the stone should become a ring or pendant later, we would be very happy to make it.

Not in Bangkok? Message us and we will send photos and prices of the citrine we have.

Citrine questions we get

Is your citrine natural?

Yes. Every gemstone we set is natural quartz, citrine included. Most citrine on the market is amethyst that has been heated to turn it golden, which is a stable, long accepted treatment. If a stone has had any treatment we tell you before you order. We are a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.

Is heated citrine real citrine?

Yes. It is natural quartz with a golden color produced by heat, and the color is permanent. Naturally colored citrine is rarer and usually paler.

What is Madeira citrine?

Madeira is the trade name for citrine with a deep reddish orange to brownish orange color, named after the color of Madeira wine. It is one of the most popular citrine colors.

Can I wear a citrine ring every day?

Yes, with a little care. Citrine is 7 on the Mohs scale and has no cleavage. Take it off for the gym and heavy work, and after some years we can polish it for you.

How much does citrine jewelry cost?

It depends on the quality and carat of the stone you choose, and on the metal. We give you the price before anything is made.

Can I buy just the stone?

Yes. We sell citrine as a loose stone, so you can buy only the gem. Whenever you would like it set, straight away or at some later point, we are happy to make the piece.

How long does a citrine piece take?

7 to 10 working days from your order, because the stones are already here in our shop, then 1 to 3 working days for delivery inside Thailand. We also ship abroad by FedEx.

Every citrine piece is made to order by our team in Bangkok in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with a 3-year warranty, free maintenance and free shipping across Thailand.