Citrine prices look erratic until you see what drives them. Across our listings the rate runs from about Rs. 620 to Rs. 2,630 per carat — more than four times — in the same gem. This stone sits at the bottom of that range, which makes it the clearest example of what you are actually paying for.

This stone's numbers

14.50 carats, which is 15.93 ratti. Rs. 9,000, about Rs. 621 per carat, reference GS-000206. It is the largest citrine we list and the cheapest per carat, and those two facts are connected.

Why this one is cheaper per carat

Colour. Measured against every other citrine photograph in our collection, this stone is among the palest — a soft olive-gold rather than the warm honey or orange of the deeper stones. In citrine, saturation is the main price driver, and a large pale stone will always cost less per carat than a small rich one.

That is not a criticism of the stone. A 14.50 carat citrine is a generous size for a pendant or a broad ring, and the gentler colour suits daily wear better than a deep orange does. It is simply a different purchase from a small intense stone, and the rate reflects it.

What moves a citrine's price

1. Saturation, by a wide margin. Deep golden to orange material costs several times what pale, washed-out or olive-toned stone does.
2. Clarity. Citrine is usually eye-clean, so you should expect that rather than pay extra for it. Visible inclusions are a genuine fault.
3. Cut. A bright face with no window. Quartz is cheap enough that there is no excuse for lazy cutting.
4. Size, last and gently. Citrine occurs in large crystals, so there is no scarcity premium for weight — which is exactly why this 14.50 carat stone is affordable.

What a fair quote looks like

For natural citrine of honest colour, roughly Rs. 600 to Rs. 3,000 per carat is the realistic range in Pakistan, and where a stone lands depends almost entirely on how deep the colour is. Well above that, ask what justifies it. Well below, ask whether you are being offered glass or dyed quartz. Our citrine price guide works through it, and the general price guide covers the other stones.

The thing most sellers will not tell you

Much of the citrine on the market is heat-treated amethyst. Amethyst and citrine are the same mineral — quartz — and heating purple amethyst turns it yellow to orange permanently. Natural-colour citrine is paler and less common, which is part of why the deep orange stones are so consistent in the market. Our specification sheet says "often heated" for this stone type rather than claiming the colour is natural. If it matters to you, independent laboratory testing can be arranged, and you can compare against our amethyst collection to see the family resemblance.

Citrine or yellow sapphire?

A question we get constantly, because citrine is sometimes sold as a cheaper stand-in for pukhraj. They are different minerals: sapphire is 9 on the Mohs scale, citrine is 7, and sapphire costs many times more. Our yellow sapphire versus citrine guide sets out how to tell them apart.

Durability

Citrine is 7 on the Mohs scale — fine for a ring worn regularly. Warm soapy water and a soft brush; avoid ultrasonic cleaners and prolonged strong sunlight, which can pale the colour over years.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan by insured, tracked courier, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery — open the parcel and look at the stone before you pay — and seven days to return it unused. Measurements have not been recorded; message us on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure it.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural citrine, known in Urdu as Sunela, with a weight of 14.5 Carat. Its price is Rs. 9,000 — roughly Rs. 621 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference GS-000206 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

On the Mohs scale citrine rates 7. It handles daily wear, but a hard knock can still nick an exposed corner, so a protective setting is a sensible choice. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and keep it away from abrasive cleaners and high heat.

Whoever you buy citrine from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every citrine for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Much citrine on the market is heat-treated amethyst; natural-colour citrine is paler and less common. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.