Introduction
Citrine is a beautiful and popular gemstone that has been used in jewelry for centuries. However, because of its popularity, there are many fake citrines on the market. If you’re considering buying a citrine, it’s important to know how to tell if it’s real.
10 Ways to Tell If Citrine Is Real
- Color
Real citrine has a natural, golden yellow color. Fake citrines may be too yellow or too orange.
- Clarity
Real citrine is usually transparent or slightly translucent. Fake citrines may be opaque or cloudy.
- Cut
Real citrine is often cut into faceted shapes, such as ovals, rounds, and squares. Fake citrines may be cut into cabochons or other unconventional shapes.
- Carat weight
Real citrine is a relatively heavy gemstone. A 1-carat citrine will be heavier than a 1-carat fake citrine.
- Hardness
Real citrine has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Fake citrines may be softer or harder.
- Refractive index
Real citrine has a refractive index of 1.544-1.553. Fake citrines may have a different refractive index.
- Specific gravity
Real citrine has a specific gravity of 2.65-2.66. Fake citrines may have a different specific gravity.
- Fluorescence
Real citrine will fluoresce under ultraviolet light. Fake citrines may not fluoresce or may fluoresce a different color.
- Inclusions
Real citrine may have inclusions, such as bubbles or crystals. Fake citrines may not have any inclusions.
- Price
Real citrine is a relatively expensive gemstone. Fake citrines will be less expensive.
Conclusion
If you’re considering buying a citrine, it’s important to do your research and buy from a reputable jeweler. By following the tips above, you can increase your chances of buying a real citrine.
Additional Information
In addition to the 10 tips above, there are a few other things you can do to help you tell if a citrine is real.
- Ask for a certificate of authenticity. A reputable jeweler will be able to provide you with a certificate of authenticity that states that the citrine is real.
- Get the citrine appraised. A professional appraiser can examine the citrine and tell you if it’s real.
- Compare it to other citrines. If you’re not sure if a citrine is real, compare it to other citrines that you know are real.
FAQs
- What is the difference between real and fake citrine?
Real citrine is a natural gemstone that has a golden yellow color. Fake citrines are usually made of glass or plastic and may be too yellow or too orange.
- How can I tell if a citrine is real?
You can tell if a citrine is real by looking at its color, clarity, cut, carat weight, hardness, refractive index, specific gravity, fluorescence, inclusions, and price.
- Where can I buy a real citrine?
You can buy a real citrine from a reputable jeweler.