Real vs Fake Citrine: How to Spot Genuine Citrine Crystals

Introduction

Citrine is one of the most radiant crystals in the mineral kingdom, known for its golden glow and uplifting energy. But did you know that most citrine on the market is actually fake? Heat-treated amethyst is often sold as citrine, and the differences can be subtle unless you know what to look for.

In this blog post, you'll learn how to tell if your citrine crystal is real or fake, what heat-treated citrine actually is, and how to avoid buying inauthentic stones. We’ll also show you what genuine citrine looks like, especially the kind we source at Crystals & Reiki.

🎥 Watch this first:
Real vs Fake Citrine | How to Spot Genuine Citrine Crystals
Click below to watch our full video guide on YouTube.

What Is Real Citrine?

Real citrine is a rare variety of quartz that gets its warm yellow to smoky golden colour from traces of iron within its crystal structure. It forms naturally under intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth.

True citrine has:

• A subtle yellow to golden-brown hue

• Clarity and softness in colour, not bright or harsh

• A gentle sparkle but not a glassy shine

• Natural, irregular shapes when raw

At Crystals & Reiki, we work exclusively with trusted suppliers who source directly from the mines. These suppliers work at the origin points such as Brazil and Zambia, ensuring we only receive 100% genuine, ethically sourced citrine.

What Is Fake Citrine?

So, what exactly is sold as fake citrine?

Most commonly, it's heat-treated amethyst. When amethyst is exposed to high temperatures in a lab or kiln, it changes colour to a deep yellow or orange. The result is a crystal that looks a bit like citrine but isn’t.

Fake citrine usually:

• Has an intensely bright orange or reddish tint

• Looks burnt at the base

• Appears glassy or overly shiny

• Is often sold as points with white tips and orange bases

While it’s still quartz, heat-treated amethyst does not carry the same vibrational quality as natural citrine. It’s an altered stone and not energetically equivalent to the real thing although the colour alone will carry a different vibration to it's original colour.

Real vs Fake Citrine: Key Differences

Here’s how to tell real from fake citrine at a glance:

How to Spot a Fake Citrine Crystal

If you're unsure whether your citrine is genuine, use these tips:

• Check the colour: Real citrine never looks neon-orange.

• Look at the base: Fake citrine often has a burnt-looking base.

• Feel the energy: Natural citrine radiates a gentle, solar vibration.

• Ask the seller: Trusted sellers will know the source and won't hide heat treatment.

• Compare with photos: Use trusted references like ours to visually compare.

🧪 Want to test at home? Try the light test: shine a flashlight through the crystal. Real citrine will refract light with soft golden tones, while fake citrine may glow with unnatural intensity.

Is Heat-Treated Citrine Considered Fake?

Technically, heat-treated citrine is still quartz but it’s not naturally citrine.

Here’s the truth:

• Heat-treated amethyst is altered after mining

• Its colour is not formed in nature

• Energetically, it behaves more like transformed amethyst than true citrine

At Crystals & Reiki, we do not sell heat-treated citrine. We believe in genuine, earth-born energy and only work with citrine that was formed naturally within the Earth’s crust.

Where to Buy Genuine Citrine

If you want to ensure your citrine is real, always buy from sellers who are:

• Transparent about sourcing

• Connected directly to mines or ethical supply chains

• Able to describe the difference between natural and treated stones

💛 At Crystals & Reiki, we only sell genuine, natural citrine. Our suppliers work at the source with the miners, and we hand-select each piece for its authenticity and energy. You can browse our citrine collection here.

Conclusion

Citrine is a powerful crystal but only when it's real. Fake citrine (usually heat-treated amethyst) may look convincing, but the energetic and visual differences are clear when you know what to look for.

✅ Always check colour, shape, and transparency
✅ Buy from trusted sources with ethical sourcing
✅ Watch our YouTube video to see visual comparisons

🎥 Don’t forget to watch the full video:
Real vs Fake Citrine | How to Spot Genuine Citrine Crystals

And when you're ready to welcome genuine citrine into your life, explore our hand-picked selection of crystals:

👉 Shop Genuine Citrine Now