Knowledge
With its beautiful golden tones, citrine is one of the most valuable and popular varieties of the quartz group and can be seen decorating jewellery throughout history.
Gemstones
Origins and History
The name ‘citrine’ was derived from the Latin word citrus, meaning ‘citron’ (a fruit closely related to the lemon). In its golden form, the ancients believed the gemstone was a gift of the sun and had the power to disperse depression and manage anger.
Citrine is found primarily in Brazil and Bolivia, with minor occurrences in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Madagascar and Myanmar. In the past, natural citrine or yellow quartz has also been discovered in France and Spain, as well as on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.
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Frequently throughout the 17th century citrine was used to adorn the hilts of daggers used by Scottish warriors. Later in the 19th century, Queen Victoria became a great lover of citrine, and largely due to the Queen's fascination with the gem, it became a popular gemstone for traditional Scottish kilt pins and shoulder brooches.
Citrine again rose to prominence during the Art Deco period when large statement gems were in vogue and cocktail rings were the height of fashion.
Natural citrine is very rare, and today most citrine quartz is the result of heat treatment of amethyst quartz. The original hue of the amethyst can determine the resulting richness of the citrine’s colouration.
Physical Characteristics
Citrine is a transparent gem which ranges from a pale yellow through to a darker brownish-orange. A stunning, vibrant and glowing stone it combines a warm, attractive colour with relative hardness.
Citrine occurs in large sizes, often up to 20 carats and can also often be fashioned into more unusual cuts and carvings. When cut into smaller carat sizes, its colour remains saturated and vivid, unlike many other pale gems.
Citrine typically has a high clarity, with stones being eye clean. Those that do have inclusions are often cut as cabochons or are carved to mask this.
A Cartier Tiara
Citrine, with its beautiful golden colouration was often sought after by jewellers, with one particular famous piece being the Cartier London citrine and diamond tiara. Created in 1937 by world-famous jewellery house Cartier for the coronation of King George VI, it featured a large emerald-cut citrine as the centrepiece, which was able to be removed and worn in brooch form.
Berganza’s collection of antique citrine jewellery ranges from brooches to necklaces and even cufflinks, all of which would be the perfect gift to celebrate a November birthday, citrine being the birthstone for this month. Our vintage citrine rings can be worn as both engagement rings and dress rings. Set into rich yellow gold, the warmth of their golden hue shines through!
Our signed citrine jewellery exhibits pieces from the likes of Boucheron and Fred of Paris, exuding luxury and quality.
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Chrysoberyl
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Amethyst
Onyx
Colombian Emeralds
If a man wears a citrine he is thought to become more striking and intellectual. For women, it is said to make her fertile, happy and content.
Its combination of colour, durability and affordability make it one of the most sought after gems of this hue, surpassing both topaz and yellow sapphire.
The finest colour a citrine can obtain is a saturated yellow to reddish orange free of brownish tones.
