Nov-Citrine

Nov-Citrine

Citrine, a radiant November birthstone, is a variety of quartz known for its warm, golden-yellow to orange-brown hues. It symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and joy, evoking the splendor of autumnal landscapes and the vitality of sunlight. Throughout history, Citrine has been treasured for its believed ability to attract wealth and positive energy. This November birthstone is a popular choice for jewelry and talismans, bringing happiness, confidence, intelligence, and curiosity to its wearer.

Citrine Birthstone

Citrine birthstone is a bright yellow-to-orange gemstone that radiates warmth and positive energy. With associations of happiness, abundance, and personal will, citrine is said to attract prosperity and success. The radiant color of the stone is said to stimulate creativity and intelligence, making it popular among artists and scholars. Its durability and affordability also make citrine a versatile and accessible gemstone for jewelry and decorative objects.

Citrine Birthstone Meaning & History

This November birthstone is the transparent yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz, which has been used in jewelry for thousands of years. Citrine has been a popular gemstone since ancient times and has shared a history of mistaken identities with the other November birthstone, topaz. Because of this, people thought citrine had the same powers as topaz. They believed the citrine birthstone could soothe tempers and calm the wearer.

The ancient Greeks carved rock crystal ornaments that glittered like permafrost. Pontiffs in Rome wore rings set with huge purple amethysts, and citrine has been cited in Roman jewelry. It is popular in colorful jewelry from the Victorian period of Scotland. Citrine is named for a French word, "lemon," or more specifically "citron," and is bestowed for the thirteenth wedding anniversary.

Today, most of the citrine in the marketplace is due to the heat treatment of amethyst. With its ready availability in a broad range of sizes, citrine birthstone is one of the most affordable and desired yellow gemstones.

Where Is Citrine Found?

The top sources for this November birthstone are Bolivia, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico, and Uruguay. Amethyst that's typically heat treated to a citrine color is mined mostly in Brazil.

Deep in the world's largest freshwater wetland lies Bolivia's Anahí mine important source of natural, unheated citrine. Fields of wildflowers, brightly plumed birds, kaleidoscopes of butterflies, Howler monkeys, and jaguars are some of the actors on this vast stage. The story of the mine is worthy of the setting. It was discovered by a Spanish conquistador in the 1600s, who received it as a dowry when he married Anahí, a princess from the Ayoreos tribe of Paraguay. The mine was lost for three centuries until it was rediscovered in the 1960s.

The Anahí mine produces a unique combination of amethyst and citrine in the same crystal; when the two colors appear together in a fashioned gem, it is known as ametrine. The citrine birthstones produced at the Anahí mine typically range from orange-yellow to brownish/greenish yellow.

Citrine Birthstone Care & Cleaning

At 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness with good toughness, your citrine birthstone is usually able to endure normal wear and care. Cleaning with warm, soapy water will be perfectly safe for your stone. Ultrasonic cleaning for your November birthstone is usually possible, but avoid steam cleaning-it is dangerous since it may impart high heat, causing the stone to crack.

Now that you know a little bit more about the history of these two November birthstones and where they can be found, you just might be inspired to add them to your collection! Having topaz and citrine as your November birthstones gives you numerous choices, as they offer eye-catching colors and sizes. You will find our Topaz Buying Guide and Citrine Buying Guide to be of great assistance when looking for a November birthstone for yourself or your loved one.