Thirteen Things ~Citrine

Thirteen Things about Citrine The gemstone Citrine is the official birthstone for the month of November as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. Citrine is the accepted gem for the 13th and 17th wedding anniversary. Citrine, based on the French word "citron" refers to any quartz crystal or quartz cluster that has a yellow, or citrus color to it. Citrine is a variety of quartz ranging in colors of yellow, yellow-brown, orange, dark orange-brown, reddish-brown. Citrine crystals can form together with amethyst or smoky quartz to form a bi-colored quartz called ametrine. Most citrine comes from Brazil, but almost all of the Brazilian material is heat-treated amethyst. Natural citrine can also be found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, in Dauphine, France, and in Madagascar. Darker colors are considered more valuable, including the medium golden orange and dark sherry-colors. Citrine may be mistaken for the more expensive orangish-yellow topaz and, at times, may be sold as topaz by dishonest gemstone vendors. Citrine was carried as a good luck charm, probably because of it's sunny appearance. It was also supposed to prevent snakebite! Historically, the most expensive color of Citrine has been the deep vibrant orange shade called "Madeira" Citrine, named after the wine of the same name, currently this is out of fashion and the light bright lemony yellow citrine shades are preferred. If you leave citrine in direct sunlight for several months, it may fade. MOHS HARDNESS: 7 (a rather durable stone requiring normal care). National Geogrpahic site about Citrine (for kids).