Yellow Topaz Vs. Citrine: What’s The Difference?

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Gemologists, astrologers, talisman makers, and shamans all have a soft spot for yellow topaz vs. citrine. This is because they radiate beauty and an almost diamond-like radiance.

Both yellow topaz, as well as citrine, are highly regarded for their aesthetic value. These gems have been prized for centuries due to the xanthous light emanating from them and their generally upbeat personalities.

But the difference between citrine and topaz are still very distinct. They look similar, yet their chemical makeups and compositions are entirely different.

Yellow topaz but also citrine are very dissimilar. They share a vitreous sheen, making them equally reflective of light.

The yellow topaz vs. citrine is two entirely different stones. The difference between citrine and topaz is that citrine is simply quartz with minuscule amounts of iron, whereas yellow topaz is a mix of fluorine and aluminum.

Table of Contents

What Is Yellow Topaz?

Yellow topaz is a vitreous-looking aluminum silicate fluoride crystal. This describes its glassy look, shared with other stones like quartz, tourmaline, fluorite, and calcite.

Yellow topaz is discovered in Russia instead of the more common locations of Mexico, Utah, Brazil, and Colorado. In addition, fakes are tricky to recognize; therefore, it’s crucial to buy from a reliable stone merchant.

In November, the brilliant yellow topaz is one of the birthstones that stands out. In addition, this beautiful yellow stone has been used for its alleged ability to instill confidence, ease emotional distress, and provide security.

The birthstone for November is the hygge garnet, which also helps to spur creativity. Therefore, it provides ease and warmth even on the chilliest winter days. In addition to evoking feelings of warmth and camaraderie, this diamond may dispel even the deepest nighttime shadows.

Yellow Topaz: Meaning and Healing Properties

By channeling the sun’s energy, yellow topaz generates a vitality that lasts and shines. This soft power inspires happiness and kindness. Since faith and hope are bolstered, pride and self-esteem are raised without egotism.

That’s for sure; it captures the feeling of being at home. Helping individuals who are feeling overwhelmed, this gorgeous stone offers stability, grounding, and tranquility. Tuck this under the pillow to ease stress and prevent nightmares.

While others thought it made them invisible to potential threats, the disappearance of yellow topaz in the vicinity of poison served as a warning. When fashioned as a ring, this amulet warded off the ravages of sleep deprivation and greed while protecting its wearer from an early demise.

Yellow topaz was considered a talisman by the ancient Greeks, who utilized it to ward off danger. Its various manifestations were effective in curing madness and the plague, as well as banishing destructive thoughts and calming destructive wrath.

Read more: Topaz Meaning and Healing

What Is Citrine?

Colors seen in citrine crystals include dark orange-brown, reddish-brown, yellow, orange, and yellow-brown. They are one of the most sought-after varieties of quartz crystals.

When purple amethyst is heated, it changes into yellow citrine crystals. Due to this, you may sometimes hear them referred to as “burnt amethyst.”

They look like topaz, but citrine’s yellow hue results from chemical impurities. The iron content is responsible for the light yellow hue.

As its name suggests, the Latin word citrina means “citrus fruit,” which is fitting for the transparent, pale yellow gemstone known as citrine. French word derived from the word citron, which signifies lemon in Latin.

Citrine: Meaning and Healing Properties

Citrine is a stone of abundance and power, whether in business or one’s career, but it also has different qualities that aid in introspective growth and understanding. It forges more robust neural pathways within you, helping you feel more secure in yourself, more confident in your abilities, and more in harmony with yourself and the world.

Its uplifting, happy vibe is a direct result of the citrine crystal. This crystal will help you feel more energized if you’re having a low-energy day.

Citrine is a stone of self-assurance and mental clarity; it also provides a burst of vitality to keep you moving forward in the direction of your dreams. This stunning gemstone has an inherent earthiness, yet it also gives you a strong sense of oneness with the cosmos.

How To Tell The Difference Between Yellow Topaz and Citrine?

For good reason, citrine and yellow topaz are today’s two most popular yellow gems. Unfortunately, these gems are typically exceedingly transparent, making it challenging to select a single one.

Composition

In the 1930s, gemology developed into a legitimate scientific discipline. As a result, yellow topaz and yellow quartz (citrine) are now considered distinct species. Many jewelers, however, persist in employing the older terms.

Compared to yellow topaz, citrine is more readily available and less expensive, but it is softer and more easily damaged, making it a less durable gemstone. In addition, citrine is typically a bright, cheerful yellow with traces of amber, but yellow topaz has an amber-to-orange tint, making it a more intense color than citrine.

Appearance

The color spectrum of citrine spans from very light to very bright yellow and then turns slightly brown. Compared to yellow topaz, it rarely becomes too saturated and has cool undertones.

The color spectrum of yellow topaz spans from a deeper yellow to practically orange, with deeper undertones that nevertheless stop short of red. You can now determine which gemstone is more likely to contain the desired hue.

Hardness

Overall, yellow topaz is a tougher gemstone than citrine. As a result, citrine is more vulnerable to damage from everyday use than yellow topaz and will show signs of wear and tear at a faster rate.

On the Mohs scale, citrine is rated at 7, while yellow topaz is rated at 8. While yellow topaz and citrine are appropriate for daily use, yellow topaz is more durable.

Value

Citrine is more practical than yellow topaz if you’re trying to save money. Citrine can be purchased for around $20 per carat, with higher prices possible for stones with excellent cut, color saturation, and clarity.

Yellow topaz, however, can cost twice as much as citrine. Those are over $1000 a carat, although yellow topaz doesn’t have the desirable reddish flashes that make the other varieties so pricey.