Citrine, a radiant stone to dispel the November gloom

Were you born in November? Citrine This is the stone assigned to you! This natural stone, luminous and warm, displays its golden reflections to illuminate this often grey and cool month.

Origins and history of citrine

Citrine, whose name comes from Latin "citrus" With its color similar to that of lemon, it has been known since antiquity. The Romans already used citrine to make cabochons or engraved intaglios, while the Greeks associated it with Demeter, goddess of harvests, symbolizing prosperity.

Over time, she became a talisman against bad influencesbelieved to protect against the evil eye and snake bites. Naturally extracted since 480 BC, it was historically a stone of protection and luck for merchants and warriors. 

Characteristics of citrine

Just like theamethyst and rock crystal, there citrine belongs to the quartz family, This which positions it 7th on the Mohs scale, and gives it great transparency. There citrine displays a yellow color which can be of various shades: pale, lemon, orange, cognac, champagne, golden, Madeira... all due to the presence of iron in its crystalline structure.

THE natural citrines They mainly come from Brazil, Madagascar, Australia, Uruguay, Zambia or Spain, but are becoming rare: most come fromheated amethysts, a common process that intensifies the golden hues. Natural deposits, on the other hand, offer softer, smokier shades.

Symbolism and beliefs surrounding citrine

Citrine is often called the "stone of happiness" : She symbolizes warmth, joy, prosperity, and optimism. In esotericism, it is reputed to dispel negative energies and attract inner light. It is also believed to have medicinal properties, aiding digestion, detoxification, and stimulating the liver and pancreas. It is a stone of self-confidence, invigorating energy and abundance.

She is said stone of the 13th wedding anniversary And, as if to bring a little light to an often grey month, November birthstone. 

The place of citrine in jewelry

Although rare in contemporary creations, citrine has illuminated many antique jewelry thanks to its solar radiance.

Major jewelry houses are gradually reviving it, seduced by its rich and warm palette:

• Van Cleef & Arpels added it to his collection Hawaiian Flowerswhere the orange-yellow stone is combined with yellow gold and diamonds to enhance floral motifs imbued with lightness and elegance. It is also found in historical pieces such as the clip Sailfish from 1957, the ring Whirlpool from 1960, or even the convertible necklace from 1972, highlighting the natural solar brilliance of citrine.

• Pomellato utilizes citrine in its modern and colorful collections, in particular Nudowhere the stone is worn in bold designs blending precious stones and rose gold, creating luminous and contemporary jewelry.

• Mauboussin also uses colored stones as a key element in its Subtle Reason collection.
  
  
• Other Houses like Boucheron, Chanel or Dior used it in their vintage jewelry pieces with animal and plant inspirations, where the golden stone plays the role of a luminous accent.

In any case, citrine is perfectly suited to ringspendants, earrings And braceletsbringing a touch of light ideal for autumn and early winter. 

Citrine: our buying advice

When purchasing, it is essential to distinguish natural citrine from heated or synthetic stonesOpt for stones with intense color—but ensure it's natural by always requesting a certificate of authenticity. Buy from reputable dealers or retailers with their own expert gemologists to avoid heated, imitation, or synthetic stones. 

Tips for caring for your citrine jewelry

Sensitive to high temperatures, citrine should not be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, as this may affect its natural color. 

It should also be stored in a separate fabric pouch or case, in order toAvoid impacts with other jewelry that could cause scratchesIn this way, the citrine is preserved for a long time and will offer its best brilliance over the years.

Furthermore, the brilliance of this gemstone can also be maintained with light and regular cleaning with warm soapy water, without using harsh chemicals. Finally, after removing all residue with a rinse of clean water, A soft cloth can be used to dry the gem while removing traces of limescale or soap. to restore your citrine jewelry to its original brilliance, all in just a few moments.

Things to remember about citrine

Citrine, the birthstone for November, is a warm yellow quartz, prized for its golden colors ranging from pale yellow to cognac. Known since antiquity, this stone It symbolizes prosperity, joy, and optimism. Rated 7 on the Mohs scale, it offers good resistance to everyday wear while bringing shine and brightness to jewelry.

Primarily mined in Brazil, Madagascar, Australia or UruguayNatural citrine remains rare: the majority of the market consists of heat-treated citrine. derived from amethysts. 

Highly valued in jewelry, Citrine is suitable for all types of jewelry. This can be observed on vintage models or contemporary creations (Van Cleef & Arpels, Pomellato, Mauboussin)

In terms of care, citrine requires some precautions: Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, store the jewelry separately to prevent scratches, and clean it regularly.

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