ENGAGEMENT RING

Citrine Engagement Rings – Your Ultimate Buying Guide

Citrine engagement ring buying

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Throughout history, citrine has been one of the most sought after and popular gemstones on the market. Its well recognized by its beautiful, fiery yellow color and is used extensively for jewelry, especially engagement rings because of its high durability and stunning appearance.  

In this article, we’ll take a quick look at everything you need to know when shopping for your ideal citrine engagement ring.

What is Citrine?

Citrine is a yellow to orange-red, transparent variety of quartz ranging from a pale yellow color to a deep orange, brownish hue. Iron is a major part of its chemical composition and is what gives the stone its striking orange color. In the past, citrine was often confused with yellow-orange topaz since both stones are similar in both color and sparkle.

Citrine gemstone

Today, citrine is one of the most frequently purchased and sought after semi-precious gemstone on the market after blue topaz. An affordable gemstone, it rarely occurs in nature which is why most of the citrine on the market today are made from less expensive stones like purple amethyst and smoky quartz which undergo heat treatment.

Citrine is found mostly in the mountains of Bolivia and Brazil, but with constant mining the rarity of the stone continues to increase every day.

Evaluating a Citrine Gemstone

There are four important factors that should be taken into consideration when shopping for the ideal citrine gemstone for your engagement ring. These are: cut, color, clarity and carat. Each of these factors can affect the value of your stone, so it’s important to look into them individually.

Color

Citrine wedding ring

Beautiful emerald cut citrine ring by K Best Design. See it here.

Citrine has a unique color that sets it apart from other gems, making it very easy to identify. Therefore, color is one of the most important factors to consider.

The most valuable citrine color is a deep, reddish-orange color (also known as ‘fire citrine’) valued at roughly $30 per carat. Fire citrine is semi-transparent and looks similar to yellow topaz and yellow diamonds which are far more pricey.

Oval fire citrine ring

Brownish-orange citrine or ‘Fire citrine’ is the most coveted. See this ring by Fire and Lace Jewelry.

Since natural citrine is extremely rare, most of the citrine found on the market undergo various treatments in order to achieve the desired color. When heated, this gemstone usually displays hints of red. The lighter yellow citrine stones which are typically found in Bolivia are much less valuable at $10 per carat.

Cut

Citrine is an easy gem to cut because of its composition and its hardness of 7 on the Mohs’ scale.  It can be cut and shaped into a wide selection of gemstone cuts such as emerald, princess and pear. The value of this gemstone is easily affected by the quality of the cut and how it’s faceted.

Marquis cut citrine ring

Marquise cut citrine ring by Xiao Cui Jewelry. See it here.

Sometimes, citrine is cut into cabochons, emphasising the smooth surface of the stone but this isn’t commonly done in jewelry-making. It’s a highly versatile gemstone, similar to jade, and can be used to create stylish, unique designs.

Cabochon cut vintage citrine

Cabochon cut vintage citrine ring by Mindi Lyn Jewelry. Check price here.

Clarity

‘Clarity’ is a term used to refer to the purity of gemstones and the number of visible inclusions in it. An inclusion is something within the gemstone (solids, liquids or gas) that can interrupt the path of light through the gem and can be seen when you hold it up to the light. Inclusions can reach the surface of the stone, resulting in blemishes.

Boho citrine ring

Boho citrine ring with rainbow inclusions. See it here.

Although inclusions rarely occur in citrine gemstones, they can sometimes be present. Any stone with inclusions in it can decrease the stone’s value. The more inclusions, the less the value so if you’re shopping for a citrine stone, carefully inspect it from different angles and under various light sources.

If the stone has no visible imperfections it means that it’s eye-clean and of the best quality. However, if you’re looking for something more suited to a lower budget, you might be able to find a stone with hidden imperfections at a much lower price.

Carat

Citrine gemstones come in a wide variety of sizes but an increase in carat size doesn’t affect the value of the stone. It’s important to note that most citrine stones that come in large sizes aren’t natural citrine but are amethysts treated with heat to look like citrine.

Citrine Engagement Ring Value

Citrine engagement rings are available at a wide range of prices according to the cut, color, and clarity of the stone rather than its size. The price of this gemstone per carat can range anywhere from $10-$30.

Some citrine stones are custom-cut so as to maximize their color and brilliance. These stones are valued at much higher prices along with stones that are free of inclusions or blemishes. Of the various citrine stones available on the market, the most highly valued are the ones that are deep reddish-orange in color, priced at $30 per carat. Lighter varieties of citrine, like those found mostly in Bolivia, are worth much less at about $10 per carat.

Citrine Engagement Ring Settings and Styles

Finding the center stone for your engagement ring is extremely important, but so is finding the perfect setting and style. Because of its high durability (it has a hardness of 7 on Mohs’ scale) and lack of cleavage, citrine can be cut into any shape and easily faceted. It goes well in any setting whether it’s modern or vintage and there are numerous designs available to choose from.

Here are some beautiful and popular engagement ring designs with various settings featuring this stunning gemstone.

Prong Setting

Four pronged citrine ring

A gorgeous four-pronged citrine engagement ring by Shanti Jewels Online. See it here.

One of the most common settings for citrine engagement rings is the classic solitaire, a single stone held in place by prongs. This setting is typically used with faceted stones which can be held more securely in place than stones with smooth surfaces. The prong setting is highly versatile and you can have it as simple or elaborate as you want. However, over time the prongs can loosen and the gemstone can fall out especially if used roughly.

Bezel Setting

Citrine in bezel setting

Citrine engagement ring in bezel setting by Paradise Jewelry In. See it here.

Some people choose to have the center citrine stone on their ring surrounded by the metal band, known as the bezel setting. This setting is much stronger and far more secure than the prong setting since it protects the gemstone from hard knocks, snags or scratches.

On the downside, the bezel setting doesn’t allow much light to pass through the stone, reducing its brilliance.  This setting is usually paired with polished cabochons instead of faceted gemstones.  If you’re going for a rustic or bohemian look, a bezel set ring would suit perfectly.

Marquise Cut Setting

Marquis cut setting ring

Natural Citrine Engagement Ring by Palmary Jewelry. See it here.

This setting is specially for marquis cut stones which have an elongated shape with sharp tips. It’s designed specifically to protect the tips of the stones and to keep them from breaking off.  Marquise cut citrine engagement rings in this setting have a stunning and elegant look, but they’re also quite fragile and the stone can get dislodged easily.

Best Metals for Citrine Engagement Ring

The best metals for a citrine engagement ring are silver and palladium since they have a neutral, soft color that compliments the color orange of the gemstone. Yellow and rose gold aren’t ideal since they don’t compliment the gemstone and can make it look dull over time.

Citrine Symbolism

Like most gemstones, citrine has been associated with powerful symbolism and meanings throughout history. Since the ancient times, it’s been closely associated with the sun because of its fiery, yellow-orange hue and many people believed that it had the power to affect health.

Even today, people around the world believe that wearing this vibrant gemstone can bring positive vibes and heal mental, physical and emotional problems. It’s also believed to alleviate digestive disorders and allergies.

Citrine is also associated with wealth which is why it’s nicknamed the ‘Merchant’s Stone’ and the ‘success stone’. Many believe that it contains and radiates positive energies, attracting financial success to its wearer.

Crystal healers of today believe that citrine can stimulate the power chakra and awaken one’s creativity which has led to the stone being used extensively in crystal healing. As the birthstone for the month of November, it’s thought to ward of evil, protect the wearer and bring them good luck throughout life.

Treatments and Enhancements

Although it’s an affordable stone in high demand, natural citrine gemstones are hard to come by. This is why citrine is created by treating quartz and amethyst stones with heat to achieve the desired strong yellows to orange-red to brown shades. The treatments these stones undergo give them a high stability rating which means they won’t fade over time and they’re some of the most commonly used methods to produce marketable citrine gemstones.

How to Take Care of a Citrine Engagement Ring

Since an engagement ring is something you’ll be wearing on a daily basis, taking good care of it is important to protect it from wear and tear. While citrine is generally a very tough gemstone, it can get damaged due to rough use over time, causing it to look dull and decrease in value. Here’s how you can take care of your citrine engagement ring so that it will last longer in good condition.

To clean your citrine engagement ring, wash it regularly with lukewarm water and mild liquid soap. If necessary you can use a very soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub any dirt off the stone and its setting but try to avoid doing this unless absolutely necessary. Vigorous scrubbing can cause minute cracks in the surface of the stone over time so remember to be very gentle.

Once you’ve washed the ring, dry it off with a soft cloth or a paper towel and place it in a jewelry box or wrap it up in a piece of cloth. Keep it away from other gemstones since harder ones could scratch it and it could damage softer ones.  

Always keep your citrine engagement ring away from harsh chemicals such as bleach, chlorine (take it off if you’re going swimming), cosmetics and even lotions. If you’re handling any of these or engaging in sports or physical/outdoor activities, remember to take off the ring to be on the safe side.

If you’re not satisfied with the cleanliness of your stone or if it isn’t shining as brightly as you might like, a jeweler can professionally clean it for you.

Should I Buy a Citrine Engagement Ring?

Citrine is an excellent stone for an engagement ring since it’s both beautiful and highly durable. As November’s birthstone, citrine engagement rings have increased in popularity among non-traditional brides. They’re one of the best choices for someone looking for a durable, big, yet affordable stone, well worth its cost.

Where to Buy Citrine Engagement Rings

Finding your ideal citrine engagement ring at your local jewelry store shouldn’t be too difficult since it’s a popular gemstone. Many jewelers have an impressive range of citrine jewelry including engagement and wedding rings. However, if you haven’t found your perfect ring yet, we suggest searching online. Here are some of the top online vendors for citrine engagement rings:

  • Blue Nile – Known as an online diamond giant, Blue Nile offers a high-quality selection of citrine jewelry. Competitive prices and after-sales policies make them one of the best options for online jewelry purchases.
  • Etsy – With a large selection of citrine engagement rings to suit all styles and budgets, you might also find some unique vintage pieces here.
  • Amazon – One of the biggest online retailers, Amazon offers all kinds of citrine engagement rings at various prices to suit your requirements. If you’re not sure about the quality of the product, it’s a good idea to go through their review and rating sections to get a clear idea of the item before you buy it.