Golden Topaz vs. Citrine: A Gemstone Comparison

Golden Topaz and Citrine, with their warm golden hues, are often mistaken for one another. It’s an understandable mix-up, both stones radiate a sunny, amber glow that brings to mind autumn leaves, rich honey, and golden sunsets. When cut and set in jewellery, they can look pretty much the same. 

The confusion between these two gems isn't just a result of their similar looks, they've also been sold under misleading trade names. In the past, Golden Topaz was sometimes called "Precious Topaz" to distinguish it from Citrine, while Citrine has often been labelled "Topaz Quartz" or "Madeira Topaz," even though it contains no actual topaz! This has led to many buyers, and even jewellers, mistaking one for the other, particularly in vintage jewellery and online listings.

So, how can you tell them apart? Whether you're a jeweller sourcing gemstones or a collector looking for a striking golden gem, understanding the differences is crucial. From colour variations to durability, this guide will break down everything you need to make an informed choice.

How to Tell the Difference: Visual & Gemmological Tests

Visual Clues

• Golden Topaz: Rich golden to amber hues, sometimes with peachy or pinkish undertones. Typically exhibits strong brilliance and a vitreous (glassy) lustre.
  
  
• Citrine: Yellow to deep orange hues, often with a more uniform colour distribution. Can sometimes have a slightly smoky or brownish tinge.

Gemmological Tests

Test	Golden Topaz	Citrine
Refractive Index (RI)	1.619–1.627 (+/-0.010)	1.544–1.553
Birefringence	0.008–0.010	0.009
Pleochroism	Weak	Very weak
UV Fluorescence	Weak to moderate (yellow/orange)	Inert
Optical Character	Doubly refractive, biaxial positive	Doubly refractive, uniaxial positive

Colour

• Golden Topaz: Ranges from pale golden to deep amber, sometimes with peachy or pinkish tones. Deeper colours are rarer and more valuable.
  
  
• Citrine: Varies from pale yellow to deep orange, often with a warm golden glow. Madeira Citrine, a highly sought-after variety, has a rich reddish-orange hue.

Clarity & Inclusions

• Golden Topaz: Usually eye-clean, though it can contain liquid inclusions or growth tubes.
  
  
• Citrine: Typically eye-clean, but natural stones may show minor inclusions under magnification.

Gemstone Formation

• Golden Topaz: A silicate mineral that forms in pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. Its colour comes from trace amounts of iron and chromium.
  
  
• Citrine: A quartz variety that forms in igneous and metamorphic rocks. 

Durability & Wearability

Scratch Resistance (Mohs Hardness Scale):

(Above 7 is generally considered suitable for everyday jewellery, while lower hardness requires extra care.)

• Golden Topaz: 8
• Citrine: 7

Cleavage & Toughness

• Golden Topaz: Has perfect cleavage, meaning it can break if struck..
• Citrine: No cleavage, making it more resistant to chipping.

Best Use:

Both stones are suitable for everyday jewellery but topaz benefits from a more protective setting, especially in rings, due to it's perfect clevage.

• Golden Topaz: Some stones are heat-treated to enhance their golden hue. 
  
  
• Citrine: Most Citrine on the market is heat-treated Amethyst or Smoky Quartz, as naturally occurring Citrine is quite rare.

Price Comparison

• Golden Topaz: More expensive due to its rarity.
  • Retail prices range from £50–£500 per carat, depending on size, clarity and colour saturation.
    
    
• Citrine: Generally a more affordable gemstone.
  • Retail prices range from £5–£50 per carat, with mandarin orange (an orange with reddish understones) generally being at the more expensive end of the range.

• Golden Topaz: Faceted golden topaz is commonly found in sizes ranging from 1 to 5 carats, with stones over 5 carats being rarer and commanding higher prices due to their scarcity.
  
  
• Citrine: Readily available in a variety of sizes, with most faceted citrines ranging from 0.50 to 10 carats, though much larger stones (even as high as 100 ct) are not that uncommon due to the gem’s abundant supply.

• Golden Topaz: Considered rare, with key sources in Brazil, Russia, and Sri Lanka.
  
  
• Citrine: More abundant (due to heat treatment), with major sources in Brazil, Madagascar, and Bolivia.

• Golden Topaz: Often cut into fancy shapes, ovals, or emerald cuts to enhance colour and brilliance.
  
  
• Citrine: Commonly cut into rounds, ovals, and cushion cuts. Madeira Citrine is often faceted to highlight its deep hues.

• Golden Topaz: Associated with strength, confidence, and good fortune.
  
  
• Citrine: Linked to prosperity, abundance, and creativity.

Feature	Golden Topaz	Citrine
Hardness	8	7
Cleavage	Perfect	None
Colour	Golden, amber, peachy	Yellow to deep orange
Commonly Included?	Usually eye-clean	Usually eye-clean
Common Treatments	Heat (Not routinely done)	Often heat-treated Quartz
Price per Carat	£50–£500	£5–£50
Rarity	Rare	Common
Large Sizes?	Available, but costly	Easily available and affordable
Associated With	Confidence, fortune	Prosperity, creativity

Golden Topaz and Citrine are both beautiful golden gemstones, each with unique qualities. While Citrine is a more affordable and durable option, Golden Topaz boasts greater rarity and brilliance. Whether you seek an elegant collector’s gem or a warm-toned beauty for jewellery, both stones offer fantastic choices for gemstone enthusiasts!