You’re at the right place if you want to know the difference between citrine and topaz stones. Keep scrolling!
In this guide, we’ll be exploring everything you need to know about citrine and topaz stones and answer some of the most frequently asked questions including:
- Are topaz stones expensive?
- Are citrine stones best suited for engagement rings?
- Which gemstone between citrine and topaz is better?
Let’s get right into it, shall we?
Citrine Vs Topaz
Key Differences Between Citrine and Topaz
Here’s a highlight of some of the main differences between citrine and topaz stones:
- Citrine is a relatively softer gemstone rated at 7 on Mohs hardness scale while topaz is a bit harder rated at 8.
- Citrine comes in reddish orange to yellow hues while topaz comes in a variety of colors.
- Citrine is typically a variety of a gemstone while topaz is a gem species.
- Natural citrine is rare while natural topaz is quite common.
- The typical shade of a citrine is yellowish orange while topaz in yellowish orange is as rare as it is valuable.
Origin – Citrine Vs Topaz
Citrine
Natural citrine that hasn’t been subjected to any form of treatment is quite rare. However, most citrine available on the market is heat treated. What’s more, heat treated citrine usually starts out as a different variety of the quartz family or light colored.
Smoky quartz and amethyst are more like sisters of citrine – the reddish orange to yellow quartz variety. Quartz, on the other hand, is one of the most abundant minerals to ever grace the earth. Besides, you can bake both smoky quartz and amethyst to citrine. For the most part, it tends to start out as smoky quartz or amethyst.
Both citrine and topaz are the birthstones for those born in November. They are typically shown as orange or yellow stones. Citrine is not among the most popular gemstones in the jewelry industry but is highly regarded for its healing properties.
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Citrine gemstones are valued since they have metaphysical properties. There are people who believe in healing stones and citrine is no exception as it comes with a lot of benefits.
Like most orange and yellow stones, citrine’s properties tend to focus around the sun. It’s believed that it’s quite a powerful gemstone that not only enhances creativity but also bring mental clarity and repel negative energy. The name citrine is from the word ‘citrin’ A French word that means lemon.
Most citrine is found in Brazil although little citrine is usually mined. However, you can find smoky quartz, amethyst and treated citrine in any crystal shop in your locality. Don’t blame the employees if they can’t tell the difference between baked citrine and genuine citrine. In all honesty, most people can’t tell the two apart.
Topaz
As earlier mentioned, topaz is also one of the many birthstones for those born in November. However, not all topaz varieties are birthstones for November babies. This only applies to orange and yellow topaz varieties.
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Unlike citrine, topaz usually comes in a variety of colors. Blue topaz is the birthstone for those born in December while colorless topaz is more popular for diamond simulants.
Both citrine and topaz are abundant minerals on earth. However, you’ll barely come across topaz in your local crystal shops. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it lacks different properties. For instance, yellow topaz is known to bring wealth to the user.
Yellow topaz is associated with money and gold as opposed to having any associations with the sun like citrine. Most people believe that orange and yellow topaz stones have the ability to make you optimistic and draw out your inner strength.
Topaz has been around since time immemorial. This means that it’s one of the oldest gemstones available on the market and the name was used for different gemstones. All gemstones with brownish orange to pale yellow hues were said to be topaz.
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Currently, it’s clear that most yellow, orange and brown gem varieties are totally different gemstones. Both citrine and topaz are found in Brazil. But you can find topaz in many different places including Myanmar, Namibia and Russia among others.
Appearance – Citrine Vs Topaz
Citrine
Citrine always comes in fiery orange hues but natural citrine mostly has a pale yellow body color. Plus, it rarely occurs in deep orange shades. This means that if you come across an orangish red citrine, it’s probably Madeira hue. The vivid orange shade features red flashes as a result of heat treating amethyst.
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Imitations and Synthetics
Whether or not heat treated amethyst is real or fake citrine is still debatable. According to gemologists, a huge percentage of citrine jewelry pieces on the market are usually subjected to heat treatment. Some of them are heat treated citrine gemstones with enhanced color or smoky quartz/heated amethyst.
Treatments are quite normal since they don’t usually change the authenticity of the gemstone. However, they might decrease the value of the stone.
Citrine stones can be imitated with any orange or yellow materials or gemstones. The most common fake citrine stones on the market are cubic zirconia and glass. For the most part, citrine color is usually as a result of heat treatment although there are lots of lab created varieties too.
Scientists can create vivid yellow or vivid orange citrine stones. Besides, yellow topaz can also pass of as citrine when subjected to any kind of treatment.
Topaz
Colorless topaz stones are the most common diamond simulants out there. However, blue and yellow topaz are higher in demand. Most people prefer London, sky and swiss blue topaz jewelry pieces. Pink topaz can also occur but its quite rare.
Most orange and yellow topaz stones are usually branded as precious topaz or Imperial topaz. Some brown topaz stones are also known as imperial. According to modern-day gemology experts, vivid orange topaz jewelry pieces are equally imperial topaz while the yellow varieties are yellow topaz.
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Imitations and Synthetics
Synthetic topaz is also available on the market even though yellow topaz stones are quite cheap. Subjecting colorless topaz to treatment brings forth imperial topaz. Yellow topaz, on the other hand, can be imitated using the same materials and stones as citrine.
Most yellow topaz imitation is usually cubic zirconia or glass.
Price and Value – Citrine Vs Topaz
Madeira hue is the most valuable citrine color. Light colored citrine gemstones are relatively affordable as they go for about $20 to $70 per carat while the latter goes for $100 per carat. High quality topaz stones are natural imperial topaz and can cost up to a maximum of $100 per carat as well.
Citrine and topaz have different longevity and wearability values. Topaz is more resistant to scratching as compared to citrine whether heated or not. Citrine and topaz stones are rated at 7 and 8 respectively on Mohs hardness scale.
Final Thoughts – Citrine Vs Topaz
Citrine and topaz are birthstones for those born in November and both have the same orange and yellow hues. Natural orange and yellow topaz stones are quite common while natural citrine is rare.
Topaz stones can withstand scratch from dirt and dust in the air better than citrine. However, the former is more susceptible to blows.
Topaz brings abundance and wealth to the user while citrine is usually associated with the sun.
