Citrine: The November Birthstone

Citrine is one of the two official birthstones for the month of November, alongside topaz. Its name comes from the Latin citrina, meaning lemon, a reference to its luminous yellow colour. It is a variety of quartz coloured by iron (Fe3+) within its crystalline structure, the same mineral as amethyst.

Contrary to what one might expect, approximately 95% of citrines on the market are amethysts that have been artificially heat-treated. Natural citrine, coloured by iron without human intervention, is in fact rarer than amethyst itself. Known as the "merchant's stone" or the "sun stone," it has symbolised prosperity and abundance since the Renaissance. This guide covers everything worth knowing: history, varieties (Madeira, ametrine), the truth about heat-treated citrines, a comparison with topaz, a quality and price guide, and Mayuri citrine jewellery.

The birthstones for November are citrine and topaz, according to the official 1912 list established by the Jewelers of America. Citrine is a variety of quartz ranging in colour from yellow to orange, while topaz exists in several colours, the most prized being imperial topaz (orange-pink). The two stones are often confused due to their similar yellow hues, yet they are two entirely distinct minerals.

Before 1912, topaz was the sole birthstone for November. The addition of citrine offered a more accessible alternative. November marks the opening of the festive season, and golden citrine makes an ideal seasonal gift, a symbol of warmth and prosperity.

The term "citrine" appeared in gemology during the fourteenth century, derived from the Latin citrina. In antiquity, citrine was confused with yellow topaz: the Greeks and Romans made no distinction between the two. It was not until the eighteenth century and the advent of modern mineralogy that citrine was identified as a distinct form of quartz.

Known as the "merchant's stone" during the Renaissance, traders would place a citrine in their cash drawer or purse, convinced it attracted fortune. In China, citrine is still associated with generosity and financial success.

Citrine's golden colour has naturally linked it to the sun and vital energy across European and Asian traditions. A stone of optimism and joy, citrine is said not to accumulate negative energy, hence its nickname of "a stone that does not absorb negative energy" in crystal healing.

Citrine is a variety of quartz (SiO2), sharing the same chemical formula as amethyst, rose quartz, and smoky quartz. Its yellow-orange colour comes from iron (Fe3+) in a different oxidation state from the one responsible for amethyst's violet hue.

• Colour: lemon yellow to orange-brown. Saturation depends on iron concentration.
• Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale, making it robust for everyday wear, and stronger than Emerald (delicate despite a rating of 7.5–8) and tanzanite (6.5).
• Crystal system: trigonal (hexagonal). Natural citrine crystals are rare.
• Refractive index: 1.544–1.553. Low birefringence (0.009).
• Density: 2.65 g/cm³.
• Lustre: vitreous.

The connection between citrine and amethyst is fundamental: both gemstones are the same mineral, coloured by iron. The only difference lies in the oxidation state. When heated to 300–500°C, amethyst irreversibly transforms into citrine.

To explore the properties of this gemstone in greater depth, consult the full GIA guide on citrine.

Madeira: deep orange-brown with red undertones, named after Madeira wine. This is the the most precious and sought-after by collectors, originating primarily from Brazil (Minas Gerais).

Palmeira: light orange, the colour of a palm tree at sunset. A highly popular intermediate hue in contemporary fine jewellery.

Rio Grande: deep golden yellow, sourced from Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). A warm, saturated colour offering excellent value for money.

Pale Citrine / Lemon: light lemon yellow, the most common and most accessible shade. Delicate and luminous.

Ametrine: half amethyst, half citrine within the same crystal, a naturally bicoloured stone. It originates almost exclusively from the Anahí mine in Bolivia, the only significant source in the world. The violet zone (amethyst) and the golden zone (citrine) coexist within a single quartz crystal.

An important note: most "Madeira citrines" or "deep citrines" on the market are amethysts that have been heat-treated at high temperatures. The following section explores this topic in greater depth.

Approximately 95% of citrines on the market are artificially heated amethysts or smoky quartzes. Natural citrine, coloured by iron without human heat treatment, is in fact far rarer than amethyst.

Heating to 300–500°C alters the oxidation state of Fe3+ iron within the quartz, transforming the violet of amethyst into yellow-orange. The process is irreversible.

How to tell them apart: natural citrine generally displays a pale yellow to golden yellow hue and a subtle colour zoning. Heated citrine (formerly amethyst) tends toward burnt orange or reddish brown, sometimes retaining traces of purplish zoning in parallel bands visible under a loupe.

Is this a problem? Not at all, provided the treatment is disclosed. Heating amethyst is an age-old and widely accepted practice within the gemological trade. The CIBJO (international standard) requires disclosure of any treatment. The issue arises only when heated citrine is sold as "natural" without any mention of the treatment.

For bespoke creations at Mayuri, the client may specify whether they wish for a natural citrine (rarer, with a subtle golden yellow hue) or whether they prefer the accessibility and beauty of a heated amethyst (more intense colours, softer price point). In both cases, the nature of the stone is fully disclosed.

The historic confusion between citrine and yellow topaz led jewellers to use the misleading terms "citrine topaz" or "golden topaz" to refer to citrine. These are two entirely different minerals: topaz is a aluminum silicate, citrine is a quartz.

In crystal healing, citrine is associated with the solar plexus chakra (Manipura) and the sacral chakra (Svadhisthana).

It is said to carry properties of prosperity, self-confidence, and creative energy. Nicknamed the "merchant's stone" or "stone of success," it is thought to be favorable to projects and new ventures.

Citrine is renowned for not absorbing negative energy, making it one of the rare stones that requires no regular cleansing, according to crystal healing practitioners.

In Feng Shui, citrine is placed in the "wealth" corner (south-east) of the home to invite abundance.

Color (the dominant criterion, accounting for approximately 60% of the value): saturation is the primary factor. A deep, uniform golden orange (Madeira type) is the most highly prized. Pale lemon yellow is more common and more affordable. Avoid shades that are too brown or too greenish.

Clarity: gem-quality citrine is generally eye-clean. Visible inclusions are rare and significantly reduce value. This is one of citrine's great advantages: unlike emerald, finding a clean stone is both easy and affordable.

Cut: the cut influences color intensity. Fancy shapes (pear, marquise, trillion) are popular as they maximize brilliance. Oval and cushion cuts are timeless choices.

Carat weight: like amethyst, citrine's price per carat does not increase dramatically with size. Beautiful stones of 5 to 20 carats remain accessible, making it an ideal gemstone for jewellery with a bold visual presence.

• Pale Citrine / Lemon: $6–18/ct, the most accessible variety, ideal for larger statement pieces
• Standard Citrine (good golden saturation): $12–35/ct
• Palmeira / Rio Grande (intense golden orange): $24–60/ct
• Madeira (deep orange-brown, the most prized): $35–95/ct for fine-quality specimens
• Ametrine (Bolivia, naturally bicolour): $18–60/ct, rare and distinctive

High-quality, unheated natural citrine can reach $120–180/ct for truly exceptional specimens. The rarity of natural citrine is greatly underestimated by the general public.

An ideal stone for the festive season: a celebratory golden hue, a symbol of prosperity and a refined price point.

With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, citrine is robust enough for everyday wear, harder than tanzanite (6.5) and comparable to amethyst (both belonging to the quartz family).

• Cleaning: warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. A simple and safe method. Ultrasonic cleaners are acceptable, unless the stone contains visible fractures.
• Light sensitivity: like amethyst, citrine may lose its colour with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or UV rays. Avoid displaying a citrine jewel in a sunny window or in direct sunlight for extended periods. Store in a jewellery case, away from light.
• Heat sensitivity: avoid sudden thermal shocks. Do not wear the piece in the sauna
• Storage: in an individual jewellery case, away from light and kept separate from other jewellery (citrine, at 7 on the Mohs scale, can be scratched by a Sapphire or a Diamond)

Our advice: consult our guide on caring for gold jewellery for all precautions related to the metal.

November opens the festive season. Citrine, with its warm, golden hue, is naturally associated with the celebratory spirit of the year's end.

A symbol of prosperity and success, gifting a citrine for the holidays is a way of wishing the recipient a year filled with achievement.

Gift ideas by budget: citrine Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold (an accessible and luminous gift), citrine pendant (a bold and warm centrepiece), citrine ring (effortless everyday elegance).

Mayuri's bespoke service allows you to choose the precise shade of gold, from a delicate lemon yellow to a deep Madeira, tailored to the tastes of the person you are gifting. Citrine pairs beautifully with every gold: yellow gold (warm harmony), rose gold (a soft contrast), white gold (a modern sensibility).