Most of the citrine available in the market is produced from which process?

Citrine available in the market predominantly comes from the process of heating amethyst. Amethyst, which is a purple variety of quartz, can be transformed into citrine through a process of high-temperature treatment. When amethyst is heated to around 470°C to 525°C, it changes color from purple to a yellow or orange hue, resulting in citrine. This method of treatment is widely accepted in the industry, and the resulting stones are often referred to as "heat-treated citrine."

This practice is primarily employed because natural citrine is relatively rare compared to heat-treated varieties. By utilizing amethyst, which is more abundant, producers can fulfill market demand for citrine at a lower cost while still providing stones that retain the desired color attributes of citrine. The understanding of this process is important for anyone working in or studying the colored stone market, as it highlights the distinction between natural and treated stones, which can significantly affect value and market perception.