Citrine: 10 facts about November’s birthstone

November 5, 2019

By Katerina Perez

5 min read

Citrine is a gemstone which was popular in retro, post-war jewellery, often being the central stone in a large cocktail ring. As the jewellery world fully embraces coloured gemstones of all types, the citrine is re-emerging in sophisticated designs – attractive to brands because of the availability of larger carat weights than in many other gems, and its pleasant warm hue.

We all can appreciate the colour of warm summer sun that citrines exhibit but how much do we really know about this gemstone? Here I have gathered 10 interesting facts to get you better acquainted with citrines.

Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Izmir’ necklace from the ‘Bals de Légende’ collection with 50.79ct yellow sapphire, citrines, diamonds, mandarin garnet and opal beads, amethysts, rubellites, pink and purple spinels and topaz in white and rose gold

Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Izmir’ necklace from the ‘Bals de Légende’ collection with 50.79ct yellow sapphire, citrines, diamonds, mandarin garnet and opal beads, amethysts, rubellites, pink and purple spinels and topaz in white and rose gold

 Chaumet 'Bee My Love' ring with oval citrine and diamonds in rose gold

Chaumet 'Bee My Love' ring with oval citrine and diamonds in rose gold

 Dior Fine Jewellery ‘Incroyables et Merveilleuses Fruits’ pendant in white gold with diamonds, citrine, yellow sapphires, purple sapphires, spessarite garnets, emeralds and tsavorite garnets

Dior Fine Jewellery ‘Incroyables et Merveilleuses Fruits’ pendant in white gold with diamonds, citrine, yellow sapphires, purple sapphires, spessarite garnets, emeralds and tsavorite garnets

 Jessica Fong ring with citrine and diamonds in rose gold

Jessica Fong ring with citrine and diamonds in rose gold

 Cartier bracelet with citrine, rubellite, diamonds, onyx and green amethyst in yellow gold

Cartier bracelet with citrine, rubellite, diamonds, onyx and green amethyst in yellow gold

 Bulgari medallion with citrine, chalcedony, sapphires and diamonds in yellow gold

Bulgari medallion with citrine, chalcedony, sapphires and diamonds in yellow gold

 Grima ring with citrine and diamond in yellow gold from 1965

Grima ring with citrine and diamond in yellow gold from 1965

 Tessa Packard 'Wonderland' earrings with citrine in verdigris brass

Tessa Packard 'Wonderland' earrings with citrine in verdigris brass

1. The name citrine has two possible derivations: the French ‘citron’ meaning lemon, or the Latin ‘citrina’ meaning yellow. The term ‘citrine’ was used only after 1556. Up until then, the stone had been known simply as yellow quartz. The Romans were thought to be the first to wear citrine, mostly as cameos or intaglios.

2. The gem saw a resurgence in popularity during the Romantic period, as it was discovered that the citrine’s honey tone enhanced the beauty of gold jewellery.

Philippe Pfeiffer ring with 22.40ct Palmeira citrine in hematite and yellow gold

Philippe Pfeiffer ring with 22.40ct Palmeira citrine in hematite and yellow gold

3. During the middle ages, another name for the citrine developed: the ‘merchant stone’ – as it was said to attract prosperity and success. Leading on from these centuries old beliefs, some say that putting citrine into your pocket or purse will not only attract wealth, but help one to maintain it as well.

4. Brazil is the main supplier of citrines. However, they are also found in Spain, Madagascar, France, Scotland, USA, Zambia, Namibia, and the Ural Mountains in Russia. It is rare for gemstones to be found in the UK, and the Scottish source meant that citrine jewellery was prevalent in the very specific style of Scottish jewellery which rose to prominence during the Victorian era, and are now highly collectible for antique jewellery lovers.

Aisha Baker rings ‘Majesty’ ring with 26.06ct citrine, 0.80ct diamonds enamel and yellow gold, and ‘Mystere’ ring with 19.79ct citrine, enamel and yellow gold

Aisha Baker rings ‘Majesty’ ring with 26.06ct citrine, 0.80ct diamonds enamel and yellow gold, and ‘Mystere’ ring with 19.79ct citrine, enamel and yellow gold

5. Most citrines are actually heat-treated amethysts or smoky quartz. The natural yellow colour of citrine is rather pale, but the ‘enhanced’ stones have deeper colour, sometimes with a slight reddish tint. It is nearly impossible to tell faceted citrine from the more expensive yellow topaz with the naked eye. The main difference between citrine and yellow topaz is in their hardness; with topaz scoring 8 and citrine scoring 7 on the mohs scale.

6. The most valuable citrines are the natural gems in the saturated colours, known in the trade as Madeira Citrine. The name derives a fortified Portuguese wine made in the Madeira Islands, and so the colour of such quartz ranges from golden to golden-orange to reddish-brown to brown hue.

Cartier open ended bracelet with citrine, diamonds and yellow gold

Cartier open ended bracelet with citrine, diamonds and yellow gold

7. The largest citrine ever discovered weighs in at 2258 carats, originates from Brazil, and is displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington. The gem is extremely large – especially when considering that the typical size used in jewellery is under 25 carats.

8. The famed ‘Jolie Citrine Necklace’ is another is exciting citrine exhibit in the Smithsonian museum. It features a 177.11 carat pear cut citrine drop in further complemented by 64 graduated bezel set cushion cut citrines, all set in 18 karat yellow gold. The necklace was created in 2015 as part of the ‘Style of Jolie’ jewellery collection, which is a creative collaboration between the American actress Angelina Jolie and noted American jeweller Robert Procop.

Robert Procop and Angelina Jolie collaboration necklace with 64 cushion cut citrines and a 177.11ct pear shaped citrine in yellow gold

Robert Procop and Angelina Jolie collaboration necklace with 64 cushion cut citrines and a 177.11ct pear shaped citrine in yellow gold

9. One of the most spectacular vintage pieces with citrines is the necklace and bracelet suite created in 1940s by Trabert & Hoeffer – Mauboussin. The neck piece is embellished with a removable bow brooch/pendant with graduated rectangular cut citrines, while the bracelet showcases citrine ribbons that surround a large claw set yellow quartz in the centre. The New York jewellers achieved a remarkable feat in finding such a large number of citrines perfectly matched in colour.

10. Citrine needs to be looked after as it can scratch relatively easily and its colour can permanently fade if kept in the direct sunlight for a while.

Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin transformable necklace and bracelet with channel set citrines in yellow gold

Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin transformable necklace and bracelet with channel set citrines in yellow gold

Citrine jewellery makes a great gift: for those born in November, as it is the month’s birthstone; as one of the most popular gemstones in the yellow to orange colour range; and being one of the more affordable harder gem materials.

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