A rare natural variation of quartz, citrine exhibits a warm yellow coloring ranging from pale to a deep orange hue. Strong and durable, citrine is an excellent choice for jewelry, where its translucent brilliance catches wandering eyes.
Citrine’s coloring comes from small particles of iron embedded within the quartz, which oxidizes and gives citrine its characteristic lemon (in French, “citron”) color. While quartz is the most common mineral, making up an estimated 12 percent of the earth’s crust, the citrine variety is a unique find that is almost always made in Brazil.
The alternate birthstone for November, citrine was thought to ward off evil thoughts. Its sunny appearance and intricate plays of light evoke a smile from wearer and observers alike.