- HAVERHILL
- GEMSTONES
Citrine’s meaning, styling, and care
Citrine’s symbolic meaning is tied to energy, positivity and joy, linking the glowing amber stone with the power of the sun. Learn how to style and care for October’s glowing birthstone.
The Meaning of Citrine
The uplifting yellow warmth of Citrine symbolically is said to bring vitality and enhance healing energy. Citrine is connected to the Solar Plexus Chakra which governs inner strength and personal power. Merchants have long valued citrine as a talisman to bring prosperity and abundance and are said to keep a piece of golden hued citrine in their cash registers to draw in wealth.
The Meaning of Citrine
The uplifting yellow warmth of Citrine symbolically is said to bring vitality and enhance healing energy. Citrine is connected to the Solar Plexus Chakra which governs inner strength and personal power. Merchants have long valued citrine as a talisman to bring prosperity and abundance and are said to keep a piece of golden hued citrine in their cash registers to draw in wealth.
The name for this lemony colored semi precious gemstone comes from the French word for lemon, citron. Its cheerful color, ranging from light yellow to dark amber, adds a warm glow especially when paired with yellow gold settings. This cheerful birthstone for November and the Zodiac signs of Scorpio and Sagittarius is traditionally used to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary.
The name for this lemony colored semi precious gemstone comes from the French word for lemon, citron. Its cheerful color, ranging from light yellow to dark amber, adds a warm glow especially when paired with yellow gold settings. This cheerful birthstone for November and the Zodiac signs of Scorpio and Sagittarius is traditionally used to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary.
Since ancient times, humans have associated gemstones with healing properties and spiritual significance.
The pull to attach special significance to gemstones continues in modern times, with the designation in 1912 of birthstones for each month by the American National Association of Jewelers. Whether you choose a stone for its traditional spiritual meaning, its connection to your birth month, or love the color of the stone, it is fun to understand these traditions.
Citrine - Gemstone Knowledge
A quartz crystal, Citrine is very close to its sister gem, Amethyst. Citrine’s color comes from the oxidation level of iron in the quartz crystal. Darker shades of Citrine are more highly valued. Many Citrines sold today are actually Amethyst or Smoky Quartz which have been heat treated to change the color. HAVERHILL uses only naturally mined Citrine, not heat treated Citrine.
Citrine - Gemstone Knowledge
A quartz crystal, Citrine is very close to its sister gem, Amethyst. Citrine’s color comes from the oxidation level of iron in the quartz crystal. Darker shades of Citrine are more highly valued. Many Citrines sold today are actually Amethyst or Smoky Quartz which have been heat treated to change the color. HAVERHILL uses only naturally mined Citrine, not heat treated Citrine.
The largest deposits of Citrine are found in Brazil and neighboring South American countries like Bolivia and Uruguay. Madagascar, Russia, Scotland, Spain and the US also mine natural deposits of Citrine.
Caring for your Citrine Jewelry
Citrine is rated 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it is moderately durable and appropriate for everyday wear, with a little caution. In 1822 Friedrich Mohs created this scale to rate gemstones from 1 (softest) to 10 (exceptionally hard), based on their ability to withstand scratches. Because Citrines can be scratched by precious gems like Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires and Diamonds, you should store your Citrine jewelry in a jewelry pouch or box to keep it from being scratched by these harder stones.
Citrine is moderately durable and so is a good choice for everyday wear, with a little care. A bezel setting like the one used in our Grand Collection helps to protect the stone. You can wear your Citrine jewelry in the shower, while swimming, sleeping and exercising. Keep your Citrine jewelry away from extreme heat and harsh chemicals and avoid striking it against hard surfaces.
How to Clean your Citrine Jewelry
Occasional cleaning with a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild dye-free dish soap and water is a simple way to maintain the beauty of your Citrine jewelry. Let the jewelry soak in a small bowl for a few minutes (away from a sink and drain), then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
How to Clean your Citrine Jewelry
Occasional cleaning with a non-abrasive jewelry cleaner or mild dye-free dish soap and water is a simple way to maintain the beauty of your Citrine jewelry. Let the jewelry soak in a small bowl for a few minutes (away from a sink and drain), then brush gently with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to rinse it completely and blot dry with a chamois cloth.
Styling Tips for Citrine Jewelry
Citrine is the most popular golden hued gemstone, perhaps because its glowing amber color works beautifully with both yellow and white gold to bring warmth to any complexion or outfit. Traditional beliefs tie Citrine to prosperity and sources of energy, echoing the vitality of the sun. Capture the warm glow of the late summer sun with a Warren Citrine Pendant.
Styling Tips for Citrine Jewelry
Citrine is the most popular golden hued gemstone, perhaps because its glowing amber color works beautifully with both yellow and white gold to bring warmth to any complexion or outfit. Traditional beliefs tie Citrine to prosperity and sources of energy, echoing the vitality of the sun. Capture the warm glow of the late summer sun with a Warren Citrine Pendant.
The amber tones of yellow gold enhance the honey color of Citrines, making our Bristol Bead Necklace or Greenwich 5 Citrine & Diamond Necklace perfect choices for autumn outfits.
Sunset Collection
Capture New England sunsets with Pink Tourmaline and Citrine 14k gold jewelry. No matter the weather or time of year, keep memories of gorgeous summer sunsets with you always.
Join our Circle
FAQ
We use naturally mined Citrine in our jewelry and so there may be natural variations in the color of the stones. When making a piece of jewelry, our stone selectors aim to match the Citrines in each piece of jewelry. If you select a set of Greenwich 4 Citrine & Diamond Earrings, they will choose 8 stones that match each other. However, because they are naturally mined stones, they may be slightly lighter or darker than the images on the website.
Citrine and Yellow Topaz are different gemstones formed from different minerals. Citrine is Quartz and Topaz is aluminum fluorosilicate and is slightly harder on the Mohs scale (8) than Citrine. In earlier times, the two were often confused because of their similarity in appearance.
Absolutely not! People wear gemstones for many reasons, not just because they are the birthstone for the month they were born. You may choose to wear a stone because you feel a connection to the color, because the traditional meaning resonates with you, or because it reminds you of someone you love like a child, a friend or a loved one who has passed away. Jewelry is extremely personal and you should feel free to wear gemstones that speak to you.