Cylinder Citrine Necklace

The Stone: Citrine from the Quartz Family

Citrine is the yellow to golden-brown variety of the mineral quartz, with the chemical formula SiO2. Its color comes from trivalent iron in the crystal lattice. Like almost every citrine in the jewelry trade, this stone has been heat-treated. This is a purely thermal process without any dyes that brings out the golden tone. The name goes back to the Latin word citrus and describes the range from pale lemon yellow through honey to a warm orange-brown. With a Mohs hardness of 7, citrine is pleasantly durable. Your stone is cut into a slender cylinder with faceted ends, so light travels through it lengthwise.

Material and Craftsmanship

You can choose between 925 sterling silver and a warm 14K gold-filled setting. 14K gold-filled is a real, thick layer of gold that is firmly bonded to a base metal. Unlike simple gold plating, which is applied only wafer-thin, wears off over time, and fades fairly quickly, 14K gold-filled keeps its warm gold tone for years. The wire is wrapped by hand around each cylinder individually, so the setting sits right along the edges of your stone. The pendant hangs on a fine chain whose square links interlock closely, so it lies smoothly against your neck. You choose the length when you order: 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in).

Meaning of the Stone

The ancient Greeks and Romans already worked this golden-yellow quartz into jewelry and engraved gems, and Scottish weaponsmiths later set it into the hilts of their weapons. Because merchants carried it with them as a good luck charm, tradition calls it the merchant's stone and the stone of abundance. In this tradition, it stands for confidence, clarity, and success. As one of the two birthstones for November, it also makes a personal gift.

Caring for Your Citrine Necklace

The pendant and chain are water-resistant and suitable for everyday wear. To make your necklace last as long as possible, you should still avoid prolonged contact with salt water and chlorinated water, as well as perfume, lotions, and harsh cleaning products. After swimming in the ocean or a pool, it's best to rinse the necklace with clean water and dry it carefully.

Citrine should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner or with steam, and it doesn't like high heat or sudden changes in temperature, because both can change its color. It's also best to spare it very long periods of direct sunlight. Store your necklace dry and apart from harder pieces of jewelry, and its shine and golden tone will stay beautiful for a long time.