For those with a birthday in November, citrine birthstone jewelry is the perfect choice to mark the month of their birth. Citrine, with its light yellow to smoky orange hues, is a perfect companion to the autumn season. It may be one of the lesser-known gemstones, but to know citrine is to love it! Let AZEERA take a few moments to walk you through the significance and beauty of the peerless citrine birthstone.
Citrine in Geology
Strictly speaking, citrine gemstones are a type of quartz. When iron deposits are found along with quartz, they discolor the typically colorless stone, which is what gives it its alluring yellow hue. The depth of the color all depends on the amount of iron found within the deposit.
Citrine is one of the harder gemstones, ranking at a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It’s naturally mined in several continents, including Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, the largest deposits of citrine today are mined in South America in the Brazilian state of ??Rio Grande do Sul.
The Etymology of Citrine
There are many theories of where this gemstone gets its name. Having been used in jewelry for millennia, it typically went by the name yellow quartz until the Middle Ages. Sometime in the 1500s, a shift took place with the yellow gemstone then transitioning to its current name: citrine.
Where did the name citrine originate? Perhaps from the French word “citron” which means “lemon”? With so many citrine stones having been mined from the mountains of France over the years, that’s a distinct possibility. Could it be from the Latin word “citrina,” which means “yellow”? Whatever the origin of the name, everyone can agree that this gemstone is an absolute stunner.
Historical Uses of Citrine
The first recorded uses of citrine are found from the Grecian Empire during the Hellenistic Ages of 300-150 BC. Both the Greeks and the Romans used citrine as a sign of opulence, studding both jewelry and hand tools with the gemstone as a symbol of status.
Citrine underwent a revival of sorts during the Victorian era in England during the 1800s, and it once again gained renewed interest during the Art Deco period that swept both sides of the pond by storm between World War I and World War II. In 1952, the citrine birthstone was officially added to the birthstone calendar by the Jewelry Industry Council of America. Ever since that time, citrine November birthstone jewelry has become a favorite of all who want to commemorate and celebrate the life of a loved one. November birthstone engagement rings featuring citrine as a diamond alternative have since also become incredibly popular.
The Power of Citrine
Although there’s no scientific evidence that there are any types of powers that radiate from the citrine, there are apocryphal stories and ancient texts throughout history that speak of its abilities. Several cultures have believed that when citrine jewelry is placed close to the skin, it can help with ailments of the gastrointestinal system and draw toxicity from the bloodstream.
In the Middle Ages, it was thought that citrine could help bring good luck and prosperity to the wearer. For this reason, it was sometimes referred to as a “money stone,” “success stone,” or a “merchants stone” for its penchant to bring good fortune to whoever possessed it.
Even today, some believe that citrine, with its yellow coloring, can harness the power of the sun. The solar energy and light stored within the stone can then help boost the wearer’s self-esteem, sweep away their depressing thoughts, and help remove deeply held phobias. That’s one powerful gemstone!
Of course, all of this is simply folklore of generations past. So while self-medicating with citrine jewelry isn’t recommended, these stories only add to the mystique and intrigue of custom-made citrine November birthstone jewelry!
Common Citrine Colors
November birthstone jewelry comes in a variety of shades, and few gemstones exhibit a cornucopia of hues like citrine. You can find citrine stones that range anywhere from canary yellow to a more rustic brown. Madeira citrines are known for their deep, luscious orange color. The term “smoky topaz” refers to a citrine when it’s found in a deep brown coloration.
Citrine is sometimes confused with yellow topaz, yet these two stones are chemically, physically, and optically different. The uncertainty usually takes place when one finds a citrine that is a light yellow shade. If you have questions about a specific gemstone and whether it’s a yellow topaz or citrine, speaking to a gemstone expert is key because they’ll have the tools and expertise to tell you the difference.
Citrine Birthstone Jewelry Ideas
November birthstone jewelry can come in a wide variety of options. Here at AZEERA, we specialize in many tantalizing options that we’re sure you’re going to love. Consider some of these beautiful pieces:
Citrine Engagement Rings
November birthstone engagement rings are not just beautiful, but they’re also extremely meaningful. At AZEERA, we can help you custom-build an exquisite citrine engagement ring that will truly be one-of-a-kind. All you need to do is choose your setting and your gemstone, and we’ll help you with all the details.
Citrine Gemstone Rings
If you’re looking for a fashion ring that has both beauty and versatility, we carry an abundance of citrine rings that look sensational for any event or occasion. These fine fashion rings are also perfect as a gift to mark a November birthday or anniversary. You can even pair them with a citrine engagement ring to create your own November birthstone jewelry bridal set!
Citrine Cufflinks
Citrine cufflinks make a sophisticated gift for the man in your life — or for yourself! When paired with a French cuff shirt, you’ll find these pieces to be the pièce de résistance to a suit, tuxedo, or any type of formalwear.
Choose AZEERA for Phenomenal Citrine Jewelry
When you purchase gemstone jewelry from AZEERA, you’re working with a family-owned business with over 75 years of experience in the industry. Our founders are intricately involved in the day-to-day operation of our company, and we obsess over each detail to create for you the highest quality jewelry. We fashion all of our jewelry in New York City by using only ethically sourced gemstones and by utilizing the most intricate techniques. The finished product is a modern work of art that we guarantee you’ll adore forever.
Schedule a call with our founders today to learn more about your very own custom November birthstone jewelry or November birthstone engagement rings!
