The Unique Features of the November Birthstone: Citrine

Citrines are among the less-known gemstones in the world. However, that does not make them any less special. Whilst the market for top gemstones has been dominated by a select few: you know what it is. However, there are a select few gemstones that have come to hold an interesting position in the market. Among these less-known but colourful and interesting gemstone types is the citrine, the November birthstone.

In this Education page, we will break down the unique feature of the November birthstone: the citrine. Note that citrines are not the only gemstones that are assigned for the month of November, the other main gemstone is the Topaz. In this post we will focus on citrines, and what makes them a special November birthstone.

What is the November Birthstone?

Before starting a discussion on November birthstones, it is important that we quickly engage the importance of the month of November. Since the birthstone that is assigned per month is based on a set of features that are associated with the particular season in question. The month of November, which falls under the season of autumn or ‘fall’ as it is known in the United States is characterised by certain features.

Notable here is the idea of falling leaves, and preceding the shifts in colour that the leaves undergo prior to their falling. The orange-to-dark golden hue is a visually captivating image, one that the reader may recollect either from real-life experiences of being in the presence of trees during this period or for many others, the pictures of trees in autumn during the month of November.

The citrine gemstone is interesting in that its colour beautifully captures this sensation. The colour of this gemstone ranges from light yellows to striking deep reddish-amber hues. This makes the gemstone an ideal choice for those who wish to capture the colour of this season. According to certain sources, the term ‘citrine’ stems from the Latin word ‘citrina’ that refers to citrus yellow. The range of yellow to orange, amber-red hues is captured by the citrine gemstone.

Key Features of the Citrine Gemstone

Speaking of the character of citrine gems, little is said about their mineralogical character. Citrines are a variant of silicon dioxide (SiO2), that are relatively rare in nature, and come with a decent level of hardness scoring a decent 7.0 on the Mohs scale for hardness.

In terms of the countries of origin, citrine is sourced from a number of different regions. From Russia to Brazil to Madagascar. Many of the high-quality citrine gemstones in the market today are sourced from Brazil and South America more generally. This is due to the many citrine deposits that occur near amethyst diodes, which are abundant in that part of the world.

When it comes to the colour of citrine gemstones, is often one of the most important factors buyers attach to when it comes to this particular gemstone. The colour in citrines as in many other top gemstone types results from the trace minerals. In the case of this hardened silicon dioxide mineral is from the presence of iron and minute levels of quartz. And this is a feature of the gemstone world, where other elements combine to produce novel hues, in addition to differences at the mineralogical level.

When it comes to citrines much of the magic so to speak is associated with the gemstone’s rich history of usage and the great symbolism and meaning that has come to be attached to it.

A Rich History of Citrine Use

Citrines have been in use for well over a thousand years. Among the first adopters of this gemstone type were the ancient Greeks, who used to carve citrine crystal ornaments. It has been noted for its use in the cultures of the Hebrews, and later in those of the Scots. In the Catholic – Latin scriptural traditions the citrine is referred to has been used by Roman popes and remains a testament to its beauty and style.

In more recent times, but still, in the past, citrines haave seen their adoption by members of the nobility, with Royals from King George VI of Britain to Queens of Norway to Thailand owing this precious gem.

The popularity of citrines might be self-evident. It is a beautiful stone that showcases a somewhat distinct hue in the gemstone world, one that is not a prime feature in the range of top gemstones. And its relatively high durability along with wider availability of the stone, with new suppliers from countries such as France and even the United States producing new citrine stones.

The Meaning and Symbolism of Citrine Stones

Arguably the most significant reason for opting for citrine stones, either as individual stones or as a part of a jewellery item is the symbolic value that is attached to them. Considering that citrine is not the most valuable gem in the market, again I need not remind the reader of what those stones are, the question of why should one opt for this particular gemstone type becomes a point of consideration.

This is important when it comes to selecting a birthstone. Since birthstone is all about meaning and connection between the month of birth and the gemstone type in question. In simple terms, the citrine gemstone is associated with warmth and upliftment, and the season of autumn, it corresponds to a period of renewal, when the old passes away, giving rise to something new.

At a deeper level, citrine gemstones which feature golden, orange-yellow hues are symbolic of vitality, warmth and enthusiasm for life. And for those with a curious mind, the orange golden hue of the citrine can be associated with the orange chakra: of the Hindu or Vedic tradition: which is connected with the navel area that is connected with creativity, life energy and pleasure. And one way of unlocking its potential is to be associated with the colour orange. And what better way to do so than the rich orange-amber yellow citrine gemstone? Whilst citrines come in a variety of shades in this colour range, there are solid orange gemstones for those who are interested.

Citrine Jewellery

When it comes to adding a special citrine to your collection one of the best ways is to opt for a quality citrine jewel: which could take the form of a citrine ring, citrine necklace or bracelet. Of course, there are other gemstone jewellery types such as the tree of life pendants to consider, but citrine rings and necklaces remain the top choice. When it comes to owning or giving citrine gemstone jewellery solitaire rings are a good choice. Since citrine is generally not a premium option its adoption in fine jewellery like engagement rings is not common. So those looking for citrine birthstone jewellery are advised to go with the gift jewellery range.

So there you have it, an informative take on citrines, the November birthstone. A great addition for those wishing to expand their collection of interesting coloured gemstones, and a great choice for those wanting some different but meaningful stones.