Anna GionetHappy birthday, November babies! It’s time for a deep dive on your beautiful birthstone: citrine. We love this bright stone for its unique color, durability and spiritual properties. Read on to find out more about this amazing gemstone.
What is citrine?
Citrine is a member of the quartz family, known for its particular yellow to orange color. Its name is derived from the citron fruit, a yellow variety similar to the lemon. Citrine is actually quite rare, especially in the lighter yellow color we sometimes see it in. It ranks a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it quite resilient and perfect for rings, necklaces, earrings and more. The different varieties of this unique gemstone are as follows:
- Yellow quartz: citrine with a lemon yellow color
- Golden citrine: citrine with a golden yellow color
- Madeira citrine: brownish-red to orange-red citrine
- Palmeria citrine: bright orange citrine
Did you know?
Citrine is sometimes referred to as “The Merchant Stone” because of its associations with prosperity and wealth. In days past, shopkeepers were known to keep the stone near their cash registers with the belief that the stone would help encourage positive financial growth.
History
Citrine has a long and reverent history. It was used for jewelry in ancient Rome, as well as throughout the 19th century. Stars such as Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo popularized the stone during the Art Deco period, with large gemstones set in elaborate jewelry pieces. Currently, it’s often seen in large cuts and Cubist-inspired looks, for bold jewelry that stands out from the crowd.
Spiritual properties
Citrine is commonly associated with the circulatory system, purifying and cleansing as one wears it. It is believed to energize and invigorate the body, as well as inspire and offer optimism to its wearers. Its bright yellow color reflects its ability to awaken and expand the mind, stimulating intellect and mental activity and encouraging balance and positive thought.
Did you know?
Citrine is commonly associated with Demeter, the Greek goddess of harvest, and Sekhmet, the Egyptian goddess of war.
Caring for citrine
Citrine is light- and heat-sensitive, which means you should avoid exposing it to prolonged sunlight. If overheated, the color can fade and appear less bright than it once did. Situations that may scratch or otherwise damage the stone should be avoided, but its Mohs rating means it can still be worn as an everyday piece without much fear of injury. Use a combination of warm water and soap to clean your jewelry with a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly and dry afterwards.
Did you know?
Some Chinese legends dictate that citrine is “The Stone of Success” that should be given to generous owners only. It was treasured by ancient Chinese emperors for its intellectual broadening qualities and is still used by some Chinese students and professors today to promote success on exams and other schoolwork.
Citrine gifts
At Shane Co., we carry the best November birthstone gifts in a variety of styles and price ranges. Check out some of our favorites below!
Necklaces
This Round Bezel-Set Citrine Pendant comes in high-quality sterling silver and features one sparkling stone, weighing in at 3.32 carats. It hangs on an adjustable 20-inch box chain, making it perfect to wear with a variety of necklines.
The 14k yellow gold in this Round Citrine and Diamond Pendant complements the rich color of the center stone beautifully, with sparkling diamond accents adding a romantic touch to a beautiful piece.
Earrings
These Vintage Citrine and Diamond Earrings feature two hand-picked oval gemstones supported by a total of 16 brilliant round diamonds in the baskets of the earrings. With 14k rose gold and white gold accents, these vintage-inspired earrings will be your new fave.
Add a pop of color to your outfit with these Round Bezel-Set Citrine Dangle Earrings. Surrounded by quality sterling silver, they look beautiful paired with a matching pendant or worn alone. They are clasped with a lever-back setting for optimum security.
Rings
This Citrine and Diamond Ring is a total show-stopper. Highlighting one golden citrine gemstone that weighs in at 4.34 carats and surrounded by eight round diamonds, this stunning cocktail ring makes an incredible statement piece. It’s finished with gorgeous 14k rose gold details for a dazzling vintage fashion ring.
Bracelets
Try this Marquise Citrine Bracelet for a delicate, feminine look. Ten marquise gemstones add elegance to this sophisticated design, crafted with sterling silver and featuring a cable chain between each cluster of stones.
Still waiting for your birthstone to be featured? Check out all of our birthstone gifts on ShaneCo.com, and check back on The Loupe next month to see our December birthstone blog.
Anna Gionet
