Week Two of the Nova Scotia Museum #RainbowWednesday Challenge has us in awe of this citrine! Naturally-occurring citrine is surprisingly rare and we’re still not sure why the yellow-orange colour exists although research has shown that traces of aluminum in these quartz crystals and exposure to radiation can produce these hues.
Fun fact- Most citrine sold today is actually amethyst that has been exposed to heat over 380 degrees C in order to turn the colour from purple to yellow and orange! If exposed to radiation, the amethyst will go back to it’s original purple!