How to clean it
Warm soapy water. Keep out of prolonged sunlight, which fades it.
Pale yellow to amber brown
Citrine
The birthstone for November.
Is Citrine a birthstone?
Yes. Citrine is the modern birthstone for November.
Properties
Composition
Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) — quartz coloured by iron
Hardness (Mohs)
7
Crystal system
Trigonal
Colour
Pale yellow to amber brown
Mined in
Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, Spain
Worth knowing
Natural citrine is uncommon. Most stones sold as citrine are heat-treated amethyst — the giveaway is a concentrated colour near the tip.
History
Named from the French citron; popular in Art Deco jewellery of the 1920s.
Practical
Caring for Citrine
How to tell it is real
Most citrine on the market is heat-treated amethyst. The giveaway is colour concentrated at the tip with a paler base; natural citrine is more evenly coloured and smokier.
One general rule covers most mistakes: never store stones loose together. Diamond at 10 on the Mohs scale scratches everything else you own, and it does not need much contact to do it.
What that hardness means in practice
Matches quartz, so ordinary dust will not scratch it. Fine for rings, though decades of wear will show at the edges.
Traditional associations
Citrine is traditionally associated with enterprise, optimism and material momentum. In chakra systems it is placed at the Solar Plexus, and in elemental correspondence it is assigned to Fire.
These are cultural associations recorded across various traditions, not claims about physical effects. The composition and hardness above are measurable; this paragraph is folklore, and worth reading as such.
Questions
What is Citrine made of?
Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) — quartz coloured by iron, crystallising in the trigonal system.
Which month is Citrine the birthstone for?
November.
Where does Citrine come from?
Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, Spain.
How do I clean Citrine?
Warm soapy water. Keep out of prolonged sunlight, which fades it.
How can I tell if Citrine is real?
Most citrine on the market is heat-treated amethyst. The giveaway is colour concentrated at the tip with a paler base; natural citrine is more evenly coloured and smokier.
Can I wear it every day?
At 7 on the Mohs scale, yes — it resists everyday scratching.