Those born in November are fortunate to have two beautiful jewels as their birthstones – one is topaz which comes in a plethora of colors, and the other is the bright and cheery citrine. Known as the yellow variety of quartz, this gemstone is revered for its soothing yellow to the orange color range, ideal for any jewelry. Its enchanting hue is enough to accentuate your attire in an instant.
But which metal justifies the beauty of this stunning gemstone the best? Let’s find out…
First, Let Us Understand More About Citrine
As mentioned earlier, citrine is the yellow variety of quartz and gets its name from the French word ‘citron’, meaning lemon. Its warm color is often considered a gift from the sun, making this lovely gemstone an ideal option for brightening up any look. Not only this, citrine has been a famous decorative jewel since antiquity. Bearing a resemblance to yellow topaz, it is not surprising that the two November birthstones share a history of mistaken identities and were thought to carry similar powers.
Speaking about powers and history, for some, citrine is revered as a healing gemstone that is soothing, serene, and comforting. It was also believed that citrine sparks imagination and encourages new beginnings and good fortune.
With a rating of 7 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, citrine is considerably durable and especially a good choice for special occasions.
So, Which Metal Suits Citrine the Best?
Citrine is a beautiful and vibrant gemstone. You can consider picking white/rose/yellow gold or platinum to complement this gem. Sterling silver is also an option that many jewelers offer.
We recommend opting for yellow gold as this metal seamlessly blends in with the citrine’s hue and makes the entire piece look larger than life and stunning. In the end, however, it narrows down to your personal preferences.
Also Read: Precious Metal Buying Guide
Is This Gem Worth the Purchase?
Citrine’s exuberance and affordability (in comparison to other precious yellow gems) make it an excellent option for trendy jewelry. But before you go ahead and make the purchase, keep in mind the following quality factors.
1. Color
As a rule of thumb, color plays a dominant role when shopping for a citrine.
The most desirable hues of citrine are saturated, with little or no brown tint, and range from yellow to an orangey-yellow and reddish-orange. Due to the rarity of natural citrines, most of the stones found in the market today are treated to achieve the desired color.
2. Cut
Citrine can be found in all popular gemstone cuts, like round, emerald, princess, and pear. The facets bring out its color, adding depth to its appearance. Unpolished citrine with minor inclusions is often used to make beads, carvings, and cabochons. Citrine, therefore, is a versatile gemstone, and as a result, stylish and peculiar designs can be created out of it.
3. Clarity
Citrine is usually eye-clean, which means it lacks any eye-visible inclusions. However, it can sometimes contain minute flaws, but this is quite rare.
4. Carat Weight
Although citrine comes in various sizes, in general, its value does not rise exponentially with an increase in the carat size.
Also Read: Is Citrine a Durable Gemstone?
Takeaway
So if you’re planning to buy citrine jewelry, keep the above points in mind and pick a metal that best suits your style and budget.
Happy shopping!
