 | Citrine is the most popular gemstone in the yellow to orange color range, and one of the most affordable of the harder gems. A variety of crystalline quartz, citrine has excellent transparency and is often found in large sizes, with gems over 20 carats not uncommon. |  Though there is a lot of citrine in the market, natural untreated citrine is rare, especially in the more saturated colors, since much of the low-cost citrine sold is treated or synthetic. |
 | Most natural citrine is a pale yellow, the color derives from traces of iron. Many commercial grade citrine in the market have been produced by heat-treating weakly colored amethyst, which will turn yellow at relatively low temperatures. The most valuable citrines are the natural gems in the saturated colors, known in the trade as Madeira Citrine. |  The name derives from a fortified Portuguese wine made in the Madeira Islands. |
 | High quality citrine tends to be very clean, with no eye visible inclusions. Transparency is excellent, and the material takes a very good polish with a vitreous luster. |  |
