Leslie Massey
Citrine is a popular yellow gemstone and the birthstone for November, with a reddish-orange colour being the most prized. It is often used in jewellery and has been for centuries, with Greek and Roman lapidaries using the stone to carve cameos and intaglios. While citrine can be found in Australia, it is rare to find natural yellow citrine on the market. The gemstone has been found in the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales, Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location in Australia | Great Dividing Range, Bismuth Dam, Clive Co., New South Wales, Wolfram Hill, Gough Co., New South Wales |
| Colour | Yellow, with colour variations including reddish-orange, lemon quartz (with a greenish tint), brownish to orange-red, and bright orange |
| Confused with | Topaz, yellow sapphire, heliodor, and golden topaz |
| Chemical composition | Presence of traces of aluminium and some level of irradiation in the ground |
| Rarity | One of the rarest macrocrystalline varieties of quartz |
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What You'll Learn
Citrine is found in the Great Dividing Range in Australia
The Great Dividing Range is a significant source of citrine, a yellow-to-orange variety of quartz that has been popular for thousands of years as a gemstone and for ornamental use. Citrine has a vibrant, sunny color that ranges from pale to medium yellow to deep reddish-orange hues. The name 'citrine' comes from the French word 'citron', meaning lemon, which was likely inspired by the gem's citrus color.
Citrine deposits can be found in various locations along the Great Dividing Range. One notable area is the Central Gem Fields in Queensland, particularly around the towns of Sapphire and Rubyvale. This region has been a popular destination for gem hunters and fossickers for decades, and it continues to attract tourists and locals alike who are hoping to find valuable gemstones, including citrine.
In New South Wales, the Great Dividing Range also yields citrine deposits. The Nundle area, located in the Tamworth Region, is known for its gem-bearing potential, with citrine being one of the prized finds. This region has a rich gold mining history, and the presence of citrine adds to the area's mineralogical significance. The state of Victoria, particularly the areas around Ballarat and the Golden Triangle, also contribute to citrine finds in the Great Dividing Range.
The formation of citrine in the Great Dividing Range is likely due to the presence of iron-bearing minerals in the quartz deposits. Over time, the iron content can give the quartz its characteristic yellow to orange coloration. The extreme heat and pressure conditions within the Earth can also cause the transformation of amethyst into citrine, a process that has been replicated artificially to create the majority of citrine found in today's market.
In addition to its aesthetic value, citrine has also been
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It can be found in Bismuth Dam, Clive Co., New South Wales
Citrine can be found in Bismuth Dam, Clive County, New South Wales. The dam is located near Torrington, NSW, and is known for its quartz crystals and other gemstones. Citrine is often found in association with smoky quartz, and the specimens from this location are known for their unique characteristics.
The citrine crystals from Bismuth Dam are typically found in vughs, which are cavities in the rock formed by the separation of mineral grains. These vughs are often lined with a thin layer of clay, and the crystals found within can exhibit a variety of growth patterns and formations. One notable feature of the citrine crystals from this location is the separation of the secondary growth of citrine from the stems of the crystals, resulting in an exposed, dark smoky stem and an overall "sceptre-like" appearance.
The specimens collected from Bismuth Dam vary in size, with some measuring up to 17cm in length. The collection of these crystals can be a meticulous process, as they are often found in clusters and may require careful cleaning and repair to ensure their preservation. The secondary growth of citrine on the crystals can also vary, with some exhibiting a parallel growth coating of quartz on the sides, creating an aesthetic contrast between the colours and textures of the citrine and smoky quartz.
The discovery of citrine in Bismuth Dam highlights the geological significance of the area and the potential for further exploration and research. The crystals found at this location showcase the natural beauty and unique characteristics that can occur within gemstone formations, providing insight into the geological processes that have taken place. The specimens from Bismuth Dam are valued for their aesthetic appeal and the insight they provide into the mineralogy of the region.
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Wolfram Hill, Gough Co., New South Wales, is another source
Citrine is a mineral that can be found in Australia, specifically in the Great Dividing Range. Within this range, in New South Wales, citrine has been located in Bismuth Dam, Clive Co. Wolfram Hill, Gough Co. is another source of citrine in the region, and there are multiple entries listing this location. Mindat.org, a website dedicated to minerals and their origins, provides this information. The website is run by the non-profit Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Citrine is a type of quartz, and quartz is also listed on the website as being found in the Torrington mining district of New South Wales. The mineral's colour is due to its chemical composition and the presence of trace elements or impurities. The term 'carat' refers to the weight of a gemstone, with one carat equalling 200 milligrams or 1/5 of a gram.
In addition to Wolfram Hill, citrine can be found at several other locations in Clive Co., New South Wales, as mentioned previously. These locations include Bismuth Dam and the Silent Grove lode in Silent Grove.
The Great Dividing Range, where citrine is found in Australia, is a significant geographical feature. Mindat.org also mentions the presence of quartz in this region, indicating a potential connection between the occurrence of citrine and quartz in specific areas of New South Wales.
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Citrine is one of the most popular yellow gemstones
Citrine is available in a wide range of sizes, with crystals of up to 20 carats readily available for jewellery. It is often fashioned into unusual cuts for jewellery and carvings. Citrine's popularity is also due to its modest price tag, with large gems remaining affordable as the price per carat does not increase dramatically for larger sizes. Citrine is also known for its lack of eye-visible inclusions, a sought-after quality in gemstones.
Citrine is found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the Earth's mantle. It is formed through low-temperature heat treatment, which transforms amethyst into citrine. This process is often done to amethyst geodes from areas like Brazil, which are heated to become giant citrine "cathedrals." In Bolivia, amethyst and citrine colours can occur together in the same crystal.
Citrine's warm yellow colour and durability make it a popular choice for jewellery. It can be carved, custom-cut, or calibrated for jewellery use and is set into a variety of jewellery styles. Citrine's sunny colour and sparkle make it a favourite among consumers and gem enthusiasts. Its rarity, beauty, and versatility contribute to its popularity as a yellow gemstone.
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It is the birthstone for November, with reddish-orange being most prized
Citrine is a birthstone for the month of November. It is a variety of quartz that ranges in colour from pale yellow to brownish orange. The name citrine is derived from the Old French word for lemon, and its warm colour is said to be a gift from the sun. Citrine is also believed to have many positive physical attributes, including aiding digestion, stimulating the spleen and pancreas, and helping with eye problems, among other things. It is also said to bring calmness, prosperity and warmth to the wearer.
Citrine is a popular gemstone that has been used decoratively since ancient times. Its popularity is partly due to its colour, clarity, durability, and relatively low price. In addition, its designation as a birthstone also contributes to its popularity and drives a large number of sales. The quality of a stone's colour has an enormous impact on its price. Stones with a faint colour are abundant and inexpensive, while stones with a rich, uniform colour are rare, valuable, and preferred by buyers.
Citrine is often associated with royalty. Queen Sirikit of Thailand owns a diamond and citrine tiara, and Queen Sonja of Norway received a modern, metallic, citrine tiara for her 60th birthday. The Luxembourg Royal Family also owns a collection of citrine-adorned jewellery.
Citrine stones with a reddish-orange colour are particularly prized. These reddish colours are rare in quartz and are often called Madeira citrine, after the similar colour of wines made in the Madeira Islands, an autonomous region of Portugal in the North Atlantic Ocean.
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Frequently asked questions
Citrine can be found in the Great Dividing Range in Australia, specifically in Bismuth Dam, Clive Co., and Wolfram Hill, Gough Co., in New South Wales.
Citrine is a yellow gemstone, with a saturated reddish-orange colour being the most prized. It is sometimes confused with topaz due to its similar colour.
Yes, it is unusual to find natural yellow citrine on the market. It is one of the rarest macrocrystalline varieties of quartz.
