November Birthstone
Once upon a time, the citrine was what you could call an undervalued gemstone. You won’t find any famous Hope diamond equivalent for it and there aren’t any set in crown jewels. But current trends in earth tone jewelry and impressive marketing has led to a resurgence of the gemstone that’s mostly known as November’s birthstone.
What is Citrine?
“Citrine” comes from the Latin word ‘citrus’ or ‘citrina’ and the French ‘citron’ meaning lemon. The stone is one of the many members of the the quartz family which is the second most abundant mineral in our planet’s crust. Quartz, as such, are among the more affordable gemstones on the market. Citrine comes in at a durable 7 on the Mohs scale but here’s the interesting thing about this gem: pure natural citrine is quite rare. Most citrine on the market today is amethyst quartz or smoky quartz that has been heat-treated to obtain that sunny glow.
Citrine Color
Citrine can range from a light warm yellow to a citrusy orange to a deep brownish orange, depending on the amount of iron present. The most coveted shade is a saturated yellow to red-orange stone with no hints of brown, Though similar in color, citrine should not be confused with yellow topaz- it’s a completely different gemstone.
What Does Citrine Symbolize?
Known as the “merchant’s stone” or “money stone” citrine is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity. Thought to harness the power of the sun, the citrine was the “sun stone” to many ancient people. For the Romans, it was the stone of Mercury, the god of travel, commerce, and messengers.
Where is Citrine Found?
While citrine has been found in Madagascar, Russia, France, Scotland, and the U.S., Brazil is the main source of natural citrine on the market today.
*Please note that all metaphysical/ healing properties are for informational/entertainment purposes and do not constitute advice or recommendation concerning the treatment of physical, mental, or emotional medical conditions. The Jewelry Junket does not guarantee the validity of any of such statements.
