CHARACTERISTICS
BY SOURCE
Brazil is currently the most
important source of amethyst,
the raw material for citrine.
Amethyst is found in the states
of Bahia, Rio Grande do Sul,
Minas Gerais, and Goias. The
deep orange-yellow citrines
used in the earrings shown here
are from Rio Grande do Sul.
This color is named "palmeira"
in reference to the mining region
where it was originally found.
Amethyst is also mined in Zambia,
but Zambian material does not
change to a citrine color when
heated. |
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Weight
: 21.81 ct
Size (mm): L 21.8 x W 15.5
x D 11.37
Heated
US $600 |
Bahia
The state of Bahia is located
north of the state of Minas
Gerais, the center of gemstone
mining in Brazil. Citrine made
by heating the amethyst mined
from this area is called "bahia"
citrine. Its color is a light
yellow. Fairly large stones
are mined here, and they are
relatively inexpensive compared
to most other faceted gemstones. |
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Madeira
The state of Bahia is located north of the state of Minas Gerais, the center
of gemstone mining in Brazil. Citrine made by heating the amethyst mined
from this area is called "bahia" citrine. Its color is a light
yellow. Fairly large stones are mined here, and they are relatively inexpensive
compared to most other faceted gemstones. |
Weight
: 9.67 ct
Size (mm):(13.0 x 15.3) x
D 9.08
Heated
US $600
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Weight
: 6.20 ct
Size (mm): L 11.9 x W 9.1 x
D 7.29
Untreated
US $300
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Ametrine
Ametrine, which displays the colors of both amethyst and citrine, is also
called "bi-colored amethyst-citrine" or "bi-colored citrine-amethyst." |
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JUDGING QUALITY
When judging the quality of citrine,
which varies in color depending upon
the source, the key consideration
is whether it has a pure color without
any grayish or blackish overtones.
The selection of color between palmeira,
madeira, and bahia is a matter of
personal preference. Choosing between
material from different sources also
depends upon what type of jewelry
it will be used in.
Comparing the
beauty of gemstones based on the tone
of their colors is meaningless, since
that is a matter of personal preference.
Keep in mind, however, that the popularity
of a certain color is a factor that
eventually affects scarcity and value.
A proper understanding of gemstone
quality will eventually spark an interest
in lighter-colored, beautiful gemstones.
As more people come to seek out such
gems in the future, they will become
increasingly scarce, resulting in
higher values for some of them. |
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