Citrine Faceting Information


This is a source of information on tips and guides for Citrine faceting. A Citrine is a yellowish - yellow gold or yellow green variety of a Quartz.

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Citrine Faceting Information

Citrine (Quartz)

Low Bot in Maraba Citrine/citrine faceting

Color: Orange, orange/red, yellow, gold, brown/orange
Moh's Hardness: 7
Refractive Index: 1.544-1.553
Critical Angle: 40.49°
Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.65
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal
Dispersion: .013
Heat Sensitivity: Can be… but is usually not a problem
Dichroism: very weak
Birefringence (double refraction): Weak (.009)
Crystal structure: Hexagonal

Treatments: Often heated from Amethyst.

What I prefer to polishing with: Cerium oxide with a Spectra Ultralap.

Jeff's Comments: Cuts and polishes like any other Quartz, usually no problems. I like to use a 1200 Nu Bond lap for pre-polish, it makes the polishing stage faster and easier.

Design Notes: About any Quartz design will work well. As the rough gets more saturated, I prefer checker boards and bar cuts.

Design Links: 4-Way Stop - This is great for saturated rough if you have a piece that will work in the shape.
Be Still My Heart - Good in about any Quartz
CheckMate - Neat in medium color Quartz
Light House - Nice in any Quartz
Utopia - Classic Barion pear


Jeff R. Graham

The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.

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