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Citrine is more than just a beautiful gemstone, it’s a positive force in the world. Like a ray of sunshine, it’s golden yellow hue brings joy to anyone who wears it. Whether you believe in its mystical properties or simply appreciate its warm and vibrant color, citrine is a gemstone that is not to be missed.
A fitting birthstone for November, when skies are often grey and in need of a little sunshine, citrine is also the traditional wedding gift for the 13th anniversary.
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November Birthstone History
The name “citrine” comes from the French word “citron,” which means lemon, due to its yellow color reminiscent of the fruit.
Legends surrounding citrine abound in various cultures, with some believing that it possesses the power to ward off evil and bring good luck. In ancient times, citrine was also believed to calm tempers and soothe anger. Today, it is often associated with abundance, success, and optimism, making it a popular choice for those seeking to attract positive energy into their lives.
In addition to its association with wealth and success, citrine has also been linked to creativity, imagination, and personal empowerment. It is said to help enhance self-esteem, attract abundance, and promote a positive outlook on life. Citrine is also believed to help dissipate negative energy and protect against harm.
Citrine Meaning & Healing Properties
Citrine encompasses the energizing and life-giving power of the sun.
It’s bright yellow energy clears the mind and stirs the soul into action. Citrine emanates positivity and light.
Useful during fresh beginnings and new pursuits, Citrine’s powers of manifestation and imagination help to transform hopes and dreams into reality.
November Birthstone Properties
Citrine is the the name given to the yellow/orange/brown varieties of quartz. The hue of a gemstone can have a dramatic influence on its cost. Stones with a muted tint are plentiful and economical. On the other hand, those with a vibrant and consistent color are rare and highly sought-after, commanding a much higher price.
Like the rest of the quartz varieties, Citrine has a Mohs hardness of 7 – making it durable enough for most jewelry pieces – though I wouldn’t recommend it for rings intended for daily wear.
One interesting thing to note is that a lot of “citrine” specimens in gem shops are actually amethyst! If the citrine you’re buying is a cluster of small crystals or in geode form, it’s likely that it was an amethyst that was heated in an industrial oven to change the colour of the crystals from purple to an orangy brown. Since citrine and amethyst are both varieties of quartz whose colour is created by iron impurities, it’s up to you to decide whether or not a heated amethyst crystal is acceptable as a citrine substitute.
By contrast, Ametrine (a combination of the names Amethyst and Citrine) is a naturally occurring bicolor variety of quartz that includes both the golden hues of citrine and the purples of amethyst.
Caring for your Citrine Jewelry
Citrines are very easy to care for. Soaking in a bit of warm, soapy water before brushing with a clean, soft bristled brush, is all that’s needed to keep your citrine jewelry sparkling and beautiful.
For a deeper cleaning, you can use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner but the very high temperatures of a steam cleaner or boiling water should be avoided as the heat shock may crack your gemstone.
Store your citrine jewelry in a soft pouch or lined box taking care not to let it rub against harder gemstones such as diamond or ruby.
