Each month of the year has a unique birthstone that celebrates the special qualities of the people born during that month. Nowadays, many months have two birthstones: a more traditional option and a more modern one. For the month of November, topaz and citrine are the gems of choice, both of which are beautiful but relatively affordable, meaning that those celebrating November birthdays have plenty of options to choose from.
Today, we are going to highlight November’s modern-day birthstone: citrine. This exquisite gem is prized for its citrusy hues. It primarily comes in shades of yellow, but is also found in a range of orange, amber, and brown tones. In fact, citrine was frequently mistaken for topaz before our advancements in stone identification technology.
Citrine goes especially well with champagne and yellow gold, making it ideal for luxury watches and fine jewelry. Here at Avi & Co., we have a variety of timepieces and accessories that evoke a citrine effect. Whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else born in November, any one of these gorgeous pieces is sure to make for a memorable gift.
The History and Legacy of Citrine
In ancient times, citrine was believed to have calming powers. It was often used in jewelry, and was thought to soothe and relax the wearer of a citrine imbued piece. Citrine is similar in chemical composition to amethyst, and both of these stones have been found in artifacts from the Roman empire. The gem had another surge of popularity in colorful Scottish jewelry during the Victorian era. Its current name comes from the French word for “lemon,” which is citron.
Citrine is mined in a variety of locations around the world, including Bolivia, Spain, Uruguay, Madagascar, and Mexico. The most productive natural citrine mine in the world is located in Bolivia, amidst the globe’s largest freshwater wetland. Deep underneath the earth there, a Spanish conquistador discovered the mine in the 1600s and named it after his bride: Anahí. Then, the mine was lost for three centuries in this vibrant world of plumed birds, jaguars, butterflies, and howler monkeys. It was not until the 1960s that a new group of explorers rediscovered the Anahí mine based on the original founder’s written accounts.
The storied history of the Anahí mine feels like it could have come directly from an Indiana Jones movie. When you choose citrine or citrine-inspired pieces, you can evoke the same sense of adventure, romance, and style that lasts through the ages. So what are you waiting for? It is time to dive into some of our favorite citrine-esque looks from Avi & Co.
Pop the Champagne for Citrine-Inspired Watches
Want to honor your November birthstone? For the Scorpio and Sagitarrius friends and family members in your life, citrine is the perfect choice for jewelry, watches, and other accessories. Ranked at 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, citrine is safe for everyday wear and is unlikely to scratch. Here are some pieces we have in stock at Avi & Co. right now that will bring a bright splash of citrine-inspired magic to your life.
Rolex Day-Date 36, Champagne Diamond Dial
For citrine-inspired watches, choosing a yellow gold piece with a champagne dial is the perfect solution. This beautiful creation embodies the warm, yellow hues of citrine while maintaining a strong and versatile composure that you can wear year-round. The Rolex Day-Date is a timeless classic, favored by world leaders and celebrities alike. Its regal appearance is perfect for dressing up or down, and this watch pairs just as well with a suit in the boardroom as it does with jeans and a white button down as you run errands around the city.
This Day-Date takes it up a notch with concentric rings of diamonds on the bezel and dial. You will also find red ruby accents that elevate this watch even further, making it a worthy present for anyone born in July as well. Birthstones aside, this exquisite creation is a memorable addition to any watch collection. Its shimmering champagne face is the perfect accessory no matter where life takes you. Plus the 36 mm case size is versatile for wearers of all genders.
Patek Philippe Nautilus, Sunburst Brown Index Dial
Represent the full spectrum of citrine’s possible colors with this gorgeous 18K rose gold Patek Philippe Nautilus. Its warm and inviting nature is ideal for cozy autumn outfits and summertime styles alike, making it a year-round staple that can take you from Thanksgiving through 4th of July and back around again. Citrine’s range of yellow, orange, and brown hues are all picked up in this exceptional timepiece, which is rife with much-loved functions that keep the wearer informed and on time throughout the day.
On the sunburst brown dial, you will find elegant index hour markers and slender hands that subtly tell the time without distracting from the minimalist pattern on the dial. You will also see a date aperture surrounding a moonphase display as well as a minute repeater and even a power reserve indicator (one of our favorite watch complications). When you fall in love with a Patek Philippe watch, there is simply no going back. This elegant timepiece is sure to overhaul your watch collection for the better.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Gold Dial
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic Royal Oak line, Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet released this truly decadent piece. This 18K yellow gold watch has all of the hallmarks of the classic Royal Oak collection, most notably an immediately recognizable octagonal bezel set with rugged, exposed screws. (Fun Fact: The exposed screws have been part of the Royal Oak line since its 1972 inception and were modeled after the screws on a diver’s helmet.)
Of course, this watch is a step above the mainstream stainless steel sports watch that Audemars Piguet became endlessly famous for. The Royal Oak line gets a contemporary update with this 18K yellow gold timepiece, which glistens and glitters from every angle. The brushed finish of the bezel and bracelet adds to its modern makeover, and the golden dial shimmers with a subtle pattern of squares. The date display at the 3 o’clock position is the perfect cherry on top for this functional and fashionable couture.
Raise a Glass to Yellow Diamonds
Citrine is an exceptional gemstone, that is for sure. But if you are looking for a more durable option that ups the ante on luxury, you might turn to fancy yellow diamonds for a luxurious and elegant lookalike. Yellow diamonds are rated at a 10 on the all-important Mohs hardness scale, making them one of the world’s most difficult materials to scratch. They are also more prestigious and coveted than citrine, which means they are perfect for showing that special someone how much you care. Here are Avi & Co., we built an impeccable collection of fine diamond jewelry, including some standout yellow diamond pieces. Take a look!
Fancy Yellow Cushion-Cut Line Bracelet
Go ahead, take a moment to bask in the beauty of this exquisite bracelet. The fancy yellow diamonds are perfectly accentuated by 18K yellow gold. These cushion-cut stones are ideal for a brilliant tennis bracelet that exudes light and class no matter where you wear it. We love how the yellow diamonds put a modern-day twist on a classic look. With over 32 carats of diamonds in total, this showstopper of a bracelet will be the envy of all of her friends.
Radiant-Cut Fancy Yellow Diamond Halo Ring
Fancy yellow diamonds are perfect for high-touch jewelry like rings, as well. Because diamonds are significantly harder than citrine, actual citrine presents a risk of being scratched. But yellow diamonds are virtually indestructible. This halo ring combines yellow and colorless diamonds, resulting in a spectacular combination of hues and refracting light. The center stone is over 8 carats, plus there are 0.93 carats of side stones on the halo and the ring itself. This is a piece that you will surely pass down for generations to come.
For November and Always, Choose Avi & Co.
Whether you are shopping for a November look or a year-round staple, you will find citrine-inspired pieces and so much more at Avi & Co. Our three luxurious boutiques (find us in Miami, New York City, and Aspen) are the perfect places to shop for your next gorgeous timepiece. We specialize in renowned brands like Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex. Plus, discover our very own lines of Avi & Co. watches and fine diamond jewelry that are available now online and in store.
Make an appointment today to shop with us in person. We cannot wait to meet you!
