Geology / History“Golden Amethyst” is a trade term used to describe amethyst that has been artificially heat-treated to produce golden-yellow or orange or brown hues. This heating process transforms the purple tones of amethyst into colours resembling those of natural citrine. Although often sold under the name Citrine, heat-treated amethyst is not true citrine in gemmological terms.
The term Golden Amethyst was introduced within the gem trade to distinguish this material from genuine natural citrine and from yellow quartz produced by heating smoky quartz. This distinction is important because simply describing any yellow quartz as Citrine is misleading to buyers and obscures the rarity of natural citrine, which is significantly less abundant than amethyst.
Amethyst owes its purple colour to trace iron impurities and natural irradiation. When heated to approximately 400–500 degrees Celsius in an aerobic environment, these iron impurities undergo oxidation changes, producing golden-yellow or orange-brown hues. In contrast, natural citrine forms over millions of years through a combination of gentle geological heat and natural radiation exposure, which together create stable colour centres responsible for its yellow tones. These natural colour centres are delicate and can be destroyed by further heating, causing genuine citrine to fade or lose colour when subjected to high temperatures rather than deepen in hue.
The rapid artificial heating used to create “Golden Amethyst” often damages the crystal lattice of the original amethyst, causing internal stress and fractures that may lower clarity and durability. Natural citrine usually retains an undisturbed crystal structure.
Trained gemmologists distinguish natural citrine from heat-treated amethyst by examining optical and internal features. Natural citrine always displays gentle dichroism, whereas heat-treated amethyst generally loses dichroism during heating. Additionally, heat-treated amethyst often retains visual evidence of polysynthetic twinning, an internal growth structure characteristic of amethyst but absent in natural citrine. Heat treatment may also induce stress fractures or internal strain not present in natural citrine.
Brazil remains the largest source of both natural amethyst and the amethyst used to produce “Golden Amethyst”, with major deposits in Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul. While visually appealing and popular in jewellery, “Golden Amethyst” is not a naturally occurring colour and its value is significantly less than that of genuine natural citrine. Responsible sellers should always disclose any treatment so buyers can make informed choices based on the rarity, durability and origin of their stones.
Metaphysical Properties
“Golden Amethyst” combines the calming qualities of amethyst with the uplifting warmth of natural citrine. It is believed to balance the crown and solar plexus chakras, supporting spiritual awareness, motivation, and personal power. Regarded as a stone of transformation, it aids in manifesting intentions and fostering optimism. This stone is said to cleanse the aura, dissolve stagnant energy, and promote emotional balance by encouraging honesty with oneself and trust in inner wisdom. It is known to soothe anger, alleviate insomnia, and absorb negative emotions directed at the bearer. Additionally, it assists in releasing old emotional attachments and reducing triggers, while supporting calm and well-being during pregnancy. Associated with clarity, direction, unity, and peace, “Golden Amethyst” is thought to possess strong heart energy that nurtures strength, intuition, and positivity. It is valued for connecting one to higher realms, enhancing light energy, and supporting healing by releasing emotional scars and protecting the aura. Particularly helpful in stressful times, it is considered a protective stone that amplifies healing while shielding the healer.
Crystal Healing
“Golden Amethyst” is believed to elevate mood, relieve stress and invigorate the body’s subtle energies. It is said to support the nervous system, promote healthy digestion and enhance mental clarity. Crystal healers often recommend it for breaking negative habits, strengthening resolve and sustaining personal growth.
Mineralogy
Group: Silicate (Quartz group)
Crystal System: Trigonal
Chemical Composition: SiO₂ (silicon dioxide)
Form/Habit: Prismatic hexagonal crystals, geodes or clusters (originally amethyst)
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal, often showing heat-induced fracturing
Lustre: Vitreous
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 2.65
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Refractive Index (R.I.): 1.544 to 1.553
Birefringence: δ = 0.009
Colour: Golden-yellow to orange (produced by heat treatment of purple amethyst)
Pleochroism: None (colour is uniform after heating)
Fluorescence: Generally none
Strunz Classification: 4.CB.05 (Silicates – Quartz group)
Dana Classification: 75.01.03.01 (Quartz)