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Artificial products / Manufactured products · Artificial product type · Synthetic product
Synthetic Citrine
Synthetically made yellow quartz; GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A Table A.4 lists it as "synthetic citrine", and it must be kept distinct from Topaz. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Synthetic Citrine forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale; where its colour and optical effects come from, each finding graded and sourced
- Hardness, density and refractive index of Synthetic CitrineEach value with its source and check date
- Synthetic Citrine in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Has any of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A put a name for it on record here?
- Name origin and history of Synthetic CitrineHow people have used it
- Listing and disclosing Synthetic CitrineThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define Synthetic CitrineWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Synthetic citrine belongs to synthetic quartz — quartz grown artificially as a silicon dioxide single crystal — and represents its yellow colour type, mirroring natural citrine instead of arising through ore formation in nature. CIBJO treats any laboratory-grown stone as sharing its natural equivalent's structure, physical behaviour and chemical makeup in all essentials; accordingly synthetic citrine is produced by artificial crystal growth and given its yellow hue through doping and heat treatment. Because the parent substance is artificial, the label must spell out 'synthetic citrine' and may never rely on the natural variety name on its own.
Scope: Applies to explaining the artificially manufactured nature of synthetic citrine as the yellow variety of synthetic quartz and its naming boundaries; does not describe the ore-forming process of natural citrine.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Where it forms
A controlled laboratory crystal-growth environment: synthetic citrine is a man-made colour variety, not a natural geological setting.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Natural citrine occurrence settings (iron-bearing hydrothermal veins, geodes) do not apply; synthetic citrine has no natural formation origin.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
How it forms, step by step
Prepare the silicon dioxide feedstock and dope it with colouring elements.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Grow a quartz crystal artificially under controlled laboratory conditions.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Apply heat treatment so that the crystal takes on the yellow (citrine) colour.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Cut and polish the material and name/disclose it as 'synthetic citrine'.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Link to appearance
Synthetic citrine shares the composition and structure of natural citrine, so its appearance can be very similar; its yellow colour is obtained by doping and heat treatment, and in purple-yellow bicoloured synthetic quartz a colour-zoning direction different from natural material may be seen.
Sources G&G Summer 2014
Timescale
The selected sources give no growth duration for synthetic citrine; they only record that gem-quality synthetic ametrine (synthetic quartz) entered the market from 1994 onward.
Sources G&G Summer 2014
Related base materials
- Synthetic quartz: parent-synthetic-material | Synthetic citrine is the yellow variety of synthetic quartz corresponding to the colour of natural citrine; its parent material is man-made
Supporting findings
Synthetic citrine is obtained from artificial crystal growth as synthetic quartz, an artificial product rather than a naturally formed one.
Evidence grade AScope: States its synthetic nature; not the specific growth parameters.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Causes of colour and optical effects
In quartz that contains iron, the colour is governed by the oxidation state of that iron; this is what gives citrine its hue.
Evidence grade AScope: Explains the colour mechanism of iron-bearing quartz applicable to citrine-type colour; not synthetic-citrine production specifics.
Human use and museum objects
Gem-quality synthetic ametrine (containing citrine-coloured zones, a synthetic quartz material) entered the market from Russia beginning in 1994.
Evidence grade AScope: Records the market-introduction date of the related synthetic quartz variety.
Other research findings
Synthetic citrine is the yellow variety of synthetic quartz corresponding to natural citrine; it has essentially the same composition and structure as natural citrine and is an artificial product.
Evidence grade AScope: Defines its identity and technical standing; not the genesis of natural citrine.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- The selected sources give no specific growth method or temperature, pressure and duration parameters for synthetic citrine.
- Within this source set, the citrine colour is documented via the colour mechanism of iron-bearing quartz and a synthetic ametrine study; no growth-specific literature on synthetic citrine itself is included.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Citrine
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4 “Synthetic Citrine” · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 4.3.3.1
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
"Synthetic Citrine" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.
Evidence
- GB/T · Table A.4, row 合成黄晶 (Synthetic Citrine)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Synthetic Citrine" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- This entry's exact material identity is not fully settled.
- See “Disclosure and cautions” above
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Trade-name ruling
- Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Citrine
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Standard and listing namesThe Chinese formal name of Synthetic Citrine is listed in GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4, and the suggested listing name is likewise Synthetic Citrine. Names in four languagesThe four-language names are the Simplified and Traditional Chinese names, English Synthetic Citrine and the Japanese name. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name means synthetic yellow quartz corresponding to citrine. Japanese namesThe GSJ (Japan) formal-name field shows a Japanese name, but GSJ's wording for it is not yet verified by this site, and the name shown is the entry's own Japanese name. Institution usageFor authority wording, the FTC and CIBJO texts on file have no wording corresponding to Synthetic Citrine (checked), and GIA and Gem-A are unchecked; for bodies without a recorded wording, the English name shown comes from the entry itself and does not represent their position.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- 合成シトリン (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 合成黄晶 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4)
- Mineralogical name
- Synthetic yellow quartz corresponding to citrine
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 合成黄晶
- 繁體中文
- 合成黃晶
- English
- Synthetic Citrine
- 日本語
- 合成シトリン
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Material domain
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Browsing family
- Synthetic gem products
- Identity tier
- Artificial product type
- Mineral chemical class
- Mixed / composition-dependent
- Construction or treatment status
- Synthetic product
What it is and how it's identified
The property and value conclusions registered for Synthetic Citrine under materials and identification all come from clauses in GB/T 16553—2017 written for synthetic quartz (the whole category); they are category values, not data measured on synthetic citrine alone. For synthetic quartz as a whole category: crystalline and trigonal, with hexagonal tabular-prismatic crystals and a cobblestone-like texture commonly seen on crystal faces; Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage; density 2.64–2.69 g/cm³, the cited clause giving 2.66 with an allowed deviation of +0.03/−0.02, from which the displayed limits are derived; optically anisotropic, uniaxial, positive; refractive index 1.544–1.553, birefringence 0.009. Untreated synthetic citrine, for synthetic quartz as a whole category, shows weak pleochroism varying with colour and a vitreous lustre. Chemical composition, long-wave and short-wave UV fluorescence, UV-Vis spectrum, infrared spectrum and magnification are likewise written in the cited clauses for synthetic quartz (the whole category); see the material facts in the synthetic quartz entry.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Chemical composition, long-wave UV luminescence, short-wave UV luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for synthetic quartz (the whole class), so they are not repeated on the Synthetic Citrine page; see the material facts on the Synthetic Quartz entry.
Items below that name the class they cover give the cited clause’s value for that whole class, not a measurement of Synthetic Citrine (how to read class-level values).
Structure
Synthetic Citrine — structure (overall): crystalline
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Citrine — structure (crystal system): trigonal
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Citrine — structure (crystal habit): flat hexagonal prisms; faces usually show a cobblestone-like texture.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Durability
Synthetic Citrine — Mohs hardness: 7
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Citrine — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Physical properties
Synthetic Citrine — density: 2.64–2.69 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 2.66, with a stated tolerance of +0.03 / -0.02. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Optical
Synthetic Citrine — optic character: uniaxial, optically positive (anisotropic)
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Citrine — refractive index: 1.544–1.553
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Citrine — birefringence: 0.009
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Citrine — pleochroism: weak; it depends on the body colour.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Quality factors
Synthetic Citrine — quality factor (lustre): vitreous
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic quartz (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.10 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.548 / 2.67; Closest values: 1Agate 1.537 / 2.63, 2Shoushan Stone 1.56 / 2.7, 3Changhua Stone 1.56 / 2.6, 4Bamboo Coral 1.57 / 2.65, 5Synthetic Beryl 1.57 / 2.69
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Clause-level definitions
The clause-level definition of Synthetic Citrine is registered in GB/T 16552—2017 Annex A under the entry name Synthetic Citrine, defined as synthetic yellow quartz corresponding to citrine; the cross-check result is that it is listed directly by GB/T, and CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Citrine | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A | Synthetic yellow quartz corresponding to citrine | Listed directly by GB/T; CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- Federal Trade Commission (United States). In the Loupe: Advertising Diamond, Gemstones and Pearls.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Synthetic gem products | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Synthetic Citrine entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.