Citrine Care and Cleaning

This 7.35-ct. pear-shape citrine is a popular vivid orangy yellow color. - Robert Weldon
With proper care, citrine is a beautiful and versatile gemstone for jewelry use. – Robert Weldon
Gem and mineral hardness is measured on the Mohs scale. The numbers are based on the relative ease or difficulty with which one mineral can be scratched by another. But the Mohs scale is deceptive. The steps between the minerals are not evenly spaced. For example, diamond is only one number away, but it’s many times harder than gems in the corundum family.

Common substances like sand and dust are composed mostly of quartz, the mineral species that includes the variety citrine. So, while citrine is a great gemstone for use in jewelry, it should be treated with the proper care to prevent scratching and other damage.

Citrine rates a 7 on the Mohs scale and has good toughness, so it is suitable for all jewelry types. This includes rings as long as the wearer understands its limited hardness.

Mohs Scale
Citrine rates a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. This means it’s durable for jewelry as
long as proper precautions are followed to prevent scratching.
Stability
Abrupt temperature changes can cause citrine to fracture. Some citrine color can fade with prolonged exposure to intense light. Citrine can also be damaged by hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride, and alkaline solutions.

Cleaning
Citrine can be safely cleaned with warm, soapy water. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe except in the rare instances where a stone is dyed or treated by fracture filling. Steam cleaning is not recommended, as citrine should not be subjected to heat.