Gemstone treatment

Heat Treatment, Quartz

Amethyst may turn yellow, orange, brownish, or greenish depending on source and heating conditions. Smoky quartz can lighten or shift color.

01

What to look for

Amethyst may turn yellow, orange, brownish, or greenish depending on source and heating conditions. Smoky quartz can lighten or shift color.

02

What it means

Heating is common in commercial citrine and other quartz colors. It changes color centers and iron-related coloration.

03

Expert move

Much commercial citrine is heated amethyst. Look for unnatural orange zoning or color concentrated near the tips in crystal material.