Oval citrine cabochons in small formats, 11 to 14 mm, with a color between golden yellow and warm gold. Four uniform size references for easy setting in delicate jewelry pieces.
Piece Information
| Mineral |
Citrine (quartz SiO₂, yellow variety) |
| Dimensions |
C4 and C6: 11×9×5 mm · C12: 12×10×5 mm · C14: 14×10×5 mm |
| Shape and Back |
Oval shape, flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
7 Mohs — suitable for frequently worn rings; we recommend bezel setting or prong setting in 925 silver depending on the design |
| Origin |
Material acquired from a lapidary wholesale market |
| Treatment |
Probable heat treatment. Market citrine is mostly heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz; the piece does not include gemological certification. |
| Type of Piece |
Available in 4 formats |
This specific piece
The tone of these cabochons falls within the warm gold spectrum, without the orange-ochre of Madeira citrine or the lemon yellow of pale citrine. The color homogeneity within each format makes them particularly suitable for earring series or for rings with a central stone where color consistency is important.
How citrine color is formed
The yellow-golden color of citrine comes from defects in the quartz crystal lattice associated with traces of iron in the Fe³⁺ state. In nature, genuine untreated citrine is rare; most market citrine is amethyst or smoky quartz heated to between 300 and 500 °C, a temperature at which the color centers change from purple to yellow.
What setting it works for
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Bezel or claw setting (925 silver or gold) — with a hardness of 7 Mohs, citrine tolerates both bezel and prong settings well. The bezel provides greater edge protection; claws allow more transparency and enable the stone to capture light from the sides.
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925 silver solitaire rings — the 14×10 mm format works as a solitaire in medium size; the 11×9 mm is suitable for stackable or minimalist rings.
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Delicate wire wrap — the hardness of 7 allows working with thin wire without the risk of scratching the stone during setting. Clean results with 0.4 mm wire.
Citrine in lapidary tradition
The name "citrine" derives from the Latin citrus (lemon) and was used in antiquity to describe any yellow gemstone, including topaz. Romans carved seals and cameos in yellow quartz; medieval Scots inlaid citrines in the handles of ceremonial swords.
In crystal tradition, citrine is associated with mental clarity and solar energy, and is informally known as "the merchant's stone." A cultural association documented since ancient Mediterranean trade.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to recognize genuine citrine
Genuine citrine (treated or not) is distinguished from yellow glass and tinted quartz by its refractive index (1.544–1.553, double refraction visible with a polarizing loupe) and by its hardness of 7 Mohs, which leaves no mark when rubbed with a steel key. Tinted citrine shows concentrated color in bands or at the periphery of the cabochon instead of being homogeneously distributed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between formats C4, C6, C12, and C14?
These are supplier reference codes for each cut. C4 and C6 measure 11×9×5 mm; C12 measures 12×10×5 mm and C14 measures 14×10×5 mm.
Is this citrine treated?
It is likely to have received heat treatment, as is the case with the vast majority of wholesale market citrine. The process is standard, permanent, and does not affect durability.
Is it suitable for daily wear rings?
Yes. With a hardness of 7 Mohs, citrine resists daily wear in a ring. We recommend protecting it from direct impacts and avoiding exposure to sudden temperature changes.
More yellow and golden gems in our cabochon collection. See also: faceted gemstones.
