Golden Glow: Honest Advice on Topaz and Citrine,

The Citrine Question: What You Need to Know About Heat

Most Citrine you see in jewelry stores gets its rich color from heat treatment (often from Amethyst!). That’s okay—it makes the beautiful color accessible and affordable. However, if a seller is charging a premium, ask about its origin. Natural Citrine is rarer and tends to have smokier tones. For everyday buyers, focus on the color you love; for collectors, seek out natural, unheated specimens. Citrine is durable (Mohs 7), perfect for any jewelry type.

Topaz: The Durable All-Rounder

Topaz (Mohs 8) is highly durable, making it an excellent choice for rings. Its value spectrum is huge:

1.Blue Topaz: London Blue is very popular. Be aware: almost all blue Topaz is irradiated and heat-treated to achieve its color. This is a standard, safe process that delivers incredible color for a very low price. Great for fashion pieces!
2.Imperial Topaz: This is the true prize—a natural, golden-orange to pinkish-red color. It is rare and expensive. If you see a piece labeled "Imperial," confirm its natural origin, as this is where the real value lies.

Expert Buying Tip: Focus on Warm Settings

Both Citrine and the warmer shades of Topaz shine brightest when set in yellow or rose gold. The warm metal complements the stone’s color, making the piece look richer and more luxurious. We advise avoiding white gold for yellow-hued stones unless the stone's saturation is extremely deep.

Caring for Your Stone

Topaz is tough, but it can suffer cleavage (breaking along a plane) if struck hard, so treat it with respect. Citrine should also be protected from prolonged strong sunlight to ensure its lovely color doesn't fade over time.