distinguish golden topaz from citrine

[partgypsy]

Hello, this is for those with gemological expertise out there. My mom has a beautiful golden colored gemstone she has inherited from her mother. It is 1 1/2" -2" long, tear drop shape with extra facets. My grandmother always referred to it as topaz, but I wonder as it is so large, is there any simple tests to distinguish golden topaz from citrine? My mom keeps it in a safe deposit box but she''s going to let me look at it when I visit in September.

thanks in advance!

 

[Richard Sherwood]

No simple test that I can think of. Most experienced gem dealers can usually spot the difference by eye, but that''s just because they''re used to the "look" of the two.

The size would immediately make me think citrine versus topaz. It''s much more common to find large citrines than large topaz. Topaz is quite a bit more expensive than citrine, so what was originally paid is often a good indicator.

 

[partgypsy]

Thanks. I looked up the relative characteristics and topaz is harder than citrine, but don''t think I''ll do that test!

My mom does not particularly care whether it is or not because it is a family heirloom and precious to to her regardless, but since I am learning about gemstones I am curious. My grandfather and grandmother were not well off, so that makes for a good argument for citrine. The argument for topaz is my grandmother was very attached to it, wore it often and referred to it as topaz, and made sure that it was passed down to my mother. As far as where it came from, my mother''s family initially came from Russia where they were well educated and I know topaz is found there; secondly my mother''s great aunt was an opera singer (Marion Telva) who had a number of beautiful pieces of jewelry, a few that were passed down to my mother''s side. However my mom does not remember which side of the family the piece came from.

Maybe when I visit I''ll bring it to a jeweler and at least they can do the eyeball test.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

If you could get a good picture of it, we could all have fun guessing.

 

[partgypsy]

I would post more stuff on this forum but I am not into gadgets, don''t have a digital camera (don''t even have a cell phone).
I was thinking of getting digital camera but my husband who is even more of a luddite than I am is against it! He uses one of those cameras where everything is adjusted manually...
When I go up in September my brother has a digital camera, so I will take a picture of it (won''t be till later this September) and will report back with my findings.
Thanks!

 

[partgypsy]

Hmmm I have a feeling it is most probably citrine; my grandmother referred to it as golden topaz and I read on the internet people used to refer to citrine as "golden topaz". And it was definitely a golden color, not pink. Will update later.

 

[partgypsy]

I''m back from visiting my family, and my mom did let me see the pendant, along with 3 diamond rings. Unfortunately I was not with my brother, so the pictures I took were with a crummy disposable camera. Sorry for the pictures!
We took it to a local jewelry store, asked if he could identify it. He said "smoky topaz". I asked to clarify whether he meant smokey quartz, or precious topaz, and he shrugged his shoulders and said they were varieties of the same thing. However when he brought his book out, he pointed to the quartz section. The setting appears to be white gold (I forgot to ask if it was white gold or platinum), with an oval diamond set in it, which is real.
There is still doubt in my mind what it is, as colored gems did not seem to be his forte. We also brought in 3 diamond rings, and he was more interested in those.
Anyways it is a very pretty stone. It is cut briolette style, with many facets on the surface. Outside it has a browner tint to it, inside it has a prettier golden hue.

I tried to post the pics but file too big. Let me try again.

 

[valeria101]

Too bad the names ''topaz'' and ''citrine'' are used interchangeably. Those color treatments on topaz made it so cheap that it is not worth trying to tell what is what for most. This forum is such an exception to that!

Hope your pictures work out: I''d love to see that large, nicely cut, golden briolette!

 

[partgypsy]

I give up. I hit the attach file button, and nothing happens. If I have time tommorow, I''ll try to do it from work. Sorry.

 

[valeria101]

Here they are!

Judging from the shape, it could be... either citrine or treated topaz with that sort of color, but I doubt it could be topaz of natural color: once it would be very expensive and hence known as such, and second large topaz drops tend to be very elongated following the shape of crystals. Of course, there are lots of exceptions to this shape-folows-rough rule, but... it is a hint too, IMO.

I love briolette pendants. To me, the shape looks very elegant. Good for you!

 

[partgypsy]

Val thank you for posting the pictures! I am just glad we still have it in our family, just seeing it reminds me so much of my grandmother. Regardless if it is a citrine or not, it is a very beautiful stone in person (especially indoors) and it was fun trying it on.