How to Buy Citrine Stone? A Guide to Prices and Value

August 17, 2010- Citrine stone is mostly used for jewelry and as healing stone that has verious metaphysical properties. Citrine stoneresembles Topaz due to its color that range from Orange, orange/red, yellow, gold, brown/orange, red/orange/brown. Citrine gemstone restrains almost same powers and benefits as that of Topaz (much higher than Citrine stone price). Therefore, citrine stone is used by many as substitute of Topaz, especially those who find it difficult to afford.

Citrine Stone Prices

Citrine stone is a rare gemstone and so the true citrine available has quite higher prices. However, as most of the citrine stone available with gemstone suppliers is man made, it becomes affordable for a person having a reasonable budget. Citrine stone prices are fixed up according to four criteria or the "4 C" - color, cut, clarity and carat weight. Citrine stone prices and value increase with the increase in depth of its color, new cuts, minimum or insignificant inclusions and high carat weight. Citrine gemstones with pure yellow or orange color without traces of any other color has more value than the citrine value of the stone having other colors.

Buying Citrine Stone - Determining Value

It is now known that the "4 C" (colour, cut, clarity and carat weight) determine the citrine stone prices but how to buy citrine stone by determining its value based upon individual colors? Here are some tips on determining citrine stone value and buying citrine stone based on it.

• First of all remember that about 90 percent of commercially cut Citrine stone is not natural material and it is man-made gemstone. If the citrine gemstone seller says that all citrine stone on sale with him are real then you must become more cautious.
• Light colored faceted Citrine stones have comparatively lesser prices because the cost of light faceting material is inexpensive.
• Large citrine stones prices are also less because of lower cost and the labor for making larger gemstones.
• If buying a Maderia Cirtine which is a good finished stone, its price will be relatively higher.
• If buying citrine stone which is pale in color or almost colorless to 15% tone (Pale to light Citrine), its value can be higher. Such citrine stone prices are even more when cut into large spectacular designs. The value of such pale and well cut citrine stone is higher because of cutting labor.
• Light citrine stones (15% tone to 30%), some times with an orange tint also have higher value and prices, especially if they are faceted and cut into a large spectacular design.
• Light/medium citrine stones (30% tone to 45%), generally with a gold/orange tint or a red/brown secondary color is valuable and it is not always easy to find. Such citrine stone prices are much higher than all gemstones described above due to the labor. Small citrine stone prices in this category are even more higher.
• Medium citrine stones (45% tone to 65%) having orange color or deeper red color is one grade higher than the light/medium citrine stone prices.
• 

  Dark Citrine Gemstone
  Medium/Dark citrine stones (65% tone to 85%) with intense gold/orange/red/brown color but still light enough to differentiate the facet and light patterns in the design of the finished stones too are valuable and difficult to find. Such citrine stone prices are much higher just to cover the labor charges for cutting gemstones.
• Dark citrine stones (85% tone to 100%) has very dark brown color. Good gemstone cutters usually don't cut such citrine gemstones as heat often lighten them. These citrine stones are best used as small (melee) stones as they can display true color of stones. Such citrine stone prices depend upon cost of goods and labor. Once heated and lightened, they are priced according to saturation and color range.

Citrine stones are a rare variety of mineral quartz found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks that occur at the time of volcanic eruption in the siliceous volcanic lava that flows deep inside the cavities and veins of the rocks. So, the real citrine stone prices tend to be higher just to justify their invaluable status. However, you can always buy citrine stones that are manmade and thus are affordable. Just keep in mind the above tips about determining the citrine stone prices and you'll get value for your money!

Also read How to Use Citrine Energy for Spiritual Healing