Popular as a birthstone of November, citrine is one of the most vivid and stunning semi-precious gemstones available today. Its rich yellowish-orange hue is considered as one of the key USPs for this jewel’s ever-increasing popularity. But keeping its admiration aside, how can one make sure that their real citrine jewelry continues to look good for years to come? Is there a possibility of it developing any scratches or chips?
Without further delay, let’s find out!
But First, Let’s Get Better Acquainted With the Citrine
The name citrine comes from the French word citron, meaning lemon, although that is not precisely the gemstone’s color. This jewel is a variety of quartz, one of the most abundantly found minerals on the planet that comes in different colors. Citrine, specifically, has a faint yellow to a deep-orangish hue, which is caused by the presence of iron in its chemical structure.
Among all semi-precious gemstones available today, citrine gemstone is undoubtedly one of the most popular ones. While citrine is a relatively affordable jewel with high demand, it is pretty rare in its natural form.
Most of the citrine deposits have become exponentially scarce, however, the majority of its global supply comes from the hilly regions of Bolivia, Madagascar, Spain, Uruguay, and Mexico. The amethyst that is heat-treated to result in a citrine is mostly mined in Brazil.
So Can a Citrine Chip Easily?
has a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This tool was devised to gauge a gem’s resistance to getting scratched, with 10 indicating exceptional toughness and 1 representing extreme malleability. And so, with citrine, this rating shows that it is a considerably durable gemstone. Citrine, therefore, is suitable for everyday wear and does not break or chip easily. That said, this gem must still be treated with love and care.
How Do You Look After Your Citrine Jewelry?
Although it is a durable gemstone that can withstand normal wear and tear to an extent, it still requires proper care and maintenance. As we mentioned before, this gemstone is suitable for all jewelry types, but it is not immune to damage. So, keep the following tips and tricks in mind to preserve the longevity of the beautiful citrine.
- For an easy DIY cleaning routine, make a solution of mild liquid soap and water. Then dip your jewelry in this for a few seconds and then gently clean the stone with a soft cloth to get rid of the accumulated dirt and grime.
- To preserve your stone’s luster, store it separately from other gemstones. This will protect the citrine from getting damaged by harder gemstones like diamonds and sapphires and prevent it from scratching softer jewels like opals and pearls. You can also consider wrapping your citrine jewelry in a silk pouch or a velvet-lined case or a jewelry box.
- Keep citrine away from chemicals that may be present in harsh detergents, hairsprays, and bleach.
- Always remember to take off your jewelry when cooking, exercising, and swimming.
- Protect your citrine jewelry from sunlight as it is sensitive to heat, and prolonged exposure could dull the gemstone’s color.
If you’re unsure about cleaning at home, then do make it a point to visit a professional jeweler at least once a year for the same.
