Orange Citrines and Garnets

Orange citrines or garnets are a beautiful choice for a cocktail ring, especially if your budget is tighter than fancy colored diamonds or sapphires might allow. Both rate between 6.5 and 7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, making citrine rings suitable for finger rings worn on a daily basis.

Orange Citrines

Citrines are part of the quartz family, which means they are abundant in nature. Citrines range in color from citrus yellow to red-brown. However, according to Dr. Lance Grande and his colleague Allison Augustyn, citrines of a dark golden or orangeish-yellow hue are the most desirable. (Dr. Grande is the senior vice president and head of Collections and Research at The Field Museum in Chicago. Allison Augustyn is also on staff at The Field Museum.) It is the oxidation of iron (the mixing of iron and oxygen) within the crystal structure of citrine that lends citrine its variation of hues, including orange. This oxidation is primarily the result of heat and/or irradiation. Quartz in its non-radiated form is typically colorless. With a slight amount of irradiation, it turns pink or purple (amethyst). However, when heated to high temperatures or exposed to higher levels of radiation, the iron and oxygen combine together to produce yellows, reds, browns, and oranges. According to the GIA, most citrine is found in Brazil, though small pockets have been discovered in Bolivia and Africa {1}. Orange citrine has been associated with success and prosperity, especially for those who work in sales. In some circles it has been called The Merchant's Stone. Citrine is the birthstone for November and symbolizes success, hope, and strength.

Orange Garnet

In appearance, orange garnets appear to be the twin sister of citrine. However, their chemical differences suggest they are perhaps more like cousins. Unlike citrines, which consist of one mineral group, quartz, which is colored by varying combinations of iron and oxygen, orange garnets belong to one subtype of the mineral tribe called garnet. Garnets have a silicate base like citrines, but unlike citrines they are not comprised solely of silicone dioxide. Instead, the silicate base combines with some combination of iron, manganese, chromium, calcium, and/or aluminum {4}. Iron in the mix lends the color red, manganese the colors yellow and/or orange, and chromium lends green. Other factors can also affect color, though with orange garnets the color is chiefly attributed to the presence and quantity of manganese {4}. Within the garnet tribe, there are several possible chemical variations. Almandine (violet-red hues) and Pyrope (blood-red hues) are the most common, and therefore the most popular. However, the orange Spessartines (yellow-to-orange) have also been highly desirable since the early '90s. According to Dr. Grande and Ms. Augustyn, Spessartine garnets became especially popular when Mandarin Garnet, a particularly fiery orange-red variety, was discovered in 1991, in Namibia, Africa. Since its discovery, all forms of Spessartine garnet have been popular {2}. In addition to Africa, orange garnets can also be found in Southeast Asia, South America, North America, and Australia {2}. With a rating of 7 to 7-1/2 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, Spessartine garnets prove themselves a lovely choice for an engagement ring.

 References

1. GIA. "Citrine: November's Sunny Birthstone." Accessed January 30, 2015.
2. Grande, Lance and Allison Augustyn. Gems and Gemstones: Timeless Natural Beauty of the Mineral World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2009.
3. Minerals.net. "The Gemstone Citrine." Accessed January 30, 2015.
4. Williams, Cara, F.G.A. "The Colors and Varities of Garnet," In the Loupe Volume 1, May Issue, 2010, pp. 4-5.