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| Color |
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Deep red-orange |
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| Gem Family |
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Fire Citrine® is
a unique member of the quartz family. |
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| Source |
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This rare orange-red
citrine is mined only at the Linha Estefania mine,
in the Brazilian state of Rio Grade de Sol. The
mine was first discovered in the 1960s. A road cuts
up the rock face, connecting several large tunnels
only a few yards apart, each about the width of
a Volkswagen. In these tunnels, the citrine crystals
are found in open pockets, or vugs, in the rock,
which are entirely lined with glittering citrine
crystals. The vugs can be fist-sized or as large
as a man. |
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| Clarity |
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Fire Citrine® is
free of eye-visible inclusions. |
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| Size Range |
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Fire Citrine® is
available in all sizes, including large gems for
dramatic impact. For extra brilliance, Fire Citrine®
is often polished into Radial Cuts™, which
have clever curved facets that focus light like
lenses to create added brilliance. |
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| Shapes Available |
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Ovals, cushions, checkerboards,
round brilliants, trillions, and princess cuts.
Also available in some unusual fancy shapes, such
as "reverse" trillions. |
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| Enhancement |
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Fire Citrine® crystals
are usually a pinky-red color when first exposed.
When they are removed from the ground they are then
heated to intensify the fire orange color. |
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| Lore & History |
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In ancient times, citrine
was carried as a protection against snake venom
and evil thoughts. Named from the French name for
lemon, citron, most citrines have a light
lemony color. Less than one-half of one percent
of all citrine has the rich and rare color and quality
of Fire Citrine®. Modern legend has it that
Brazilian gem prospectors searching in the area
of the deposit for more than a year were ready to
give up. Then a small hummingbird flew up the hillside
landing on the exposed rock face. One of the prospectors
took out his small knife and picked at the rock
in that spot, exposing beautiful amethyst and citrine. |
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| Toughness &
Hardness |
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The hardness of Fire
Citrine® is 7 on the Mohs scale and it is quite
tough. |
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| Care & Cleaning |
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Citrine is very durable
but try to avoid direct impact to the gemstone.
Clean with warm water, detergent, and a soft brush.
Fire Citrine® can be put in ultrasonic or steam
cleaners. |
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| Price Range |
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$30 to $90 per carat. |
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| Special Characteristics |
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Fire Citrine® is
a perfect complement to yellow gold: its hot and
sultry tropical tone brings the glow of the sun
into your jewelry box. |
