Thirteenth Anniversary Stone: Citrine
The thirteenth wedding anniversary stone is citrine, golden quartz. Here's what it is, how it holds up to everyday wear, and how to turn it into a piece worth keeping.
Key takeaways
- The 13th anniversary stone is citrine, the warm golden-to-amber variety of quartz, and both traditional and modern lists agree on it.
- Citrine is a hard, practical stone at 7 on the Mohs scale, so it holds up well in a ring for daily wear.
- Its colour ranges from pale lemon to deep madeira orange, and much of the citrine sold is heat-treated amethyst.
- Because it is one of the more affordable coloured gems, citrine lets you buy a large, eye-catching stone without a big budget.
- Citrine is also a November birthstone, so a November couple hitting thirteen years gets a natural double meaning.
- Vanhess cuts settings and mounts citrine by hand in our Coquitlam workshop to suit the exact stone you choose.
What is the 13th anniversary stone?
The 13th anniversary stone is citrine. This is one of the easier years to shop for, because the traditional and modern lists line up. There is no split to weigh, no traditional-versus-modern decision to make. It is citrine either way, which is a relief after some of the more tangled anniversary years. If you want to see how thirteen sits in the run, our anniversary stones guide lays the years out end to end.
What citrine actually is
Citrine is a variety of quartz, the same mineral family as amethyst and rock crystal, coloured yellow to orange by traces of iron. The colour runs a wide range, from a pale, almost lemony yellow through rich gold to a deep reddish-orange the trade calls madeira. Warmer, more saturated stones tend to command higher prices, though it comes down to what you like. One thing worth knowing: natural citrine is fairly uncommon, and a large share of what sells as citrine is actually amethyst that has been heat-treated, which turns the purple to gold. That is a standard, stable treatment and nothing to be wary of, but a good jeweller should tell you. On hardness, citrine does well. It sits at 7 on the Mohs scale, the same as its quartz cousin amethyst, which is hard enough to wear in a ring day in and day out without much worry. That combination of good hardness, generous size, and a modest price is what makes citrine such an easy stone to enjoy.
Why citrine for year thirteen
Citrine's colour does most of the talking. It is the colour of afternoon sun, honey and autumn, and it has long been treated as a warm, cheering, optimistic stone. For a thirteenth anniversary that reads as a small piece of built-in good humour, a stone that literally looks sunny handed over at a year some people superstitiously dread. We like that quiet joke in it. The historical thread is real too: citrine has been used in jewellery since ancient times and had a strong run in the big, bold cocktail rings of the 1930s and 1940s, so there is a nice vintage flavour to it. If you were born in or married in November, citrine is also one of that month's birthstones, which gives the gift a second layer of meaning. Our November birthstone page covers that overlap.
Choosing a piece for your 13th
This is a stone that rewards going big. Because citrine is affordable, the same budget that buys a small sapphire buys a large, showy citrine, and citrine looks its best with some size to it, where the golden colour has room to glow. A generous emerald-cut or cushion-cut citrine in a cocktail ring is a classic for good reason. Thanks to the Mohs 7 hardness, we are comfortable putting citrine in an everyday ring, though a bezel or a slightly protected setting is smart if the wearer is rough on their hands, since any faceted stone can chip on a hard knock. Yellow and rose gold both flatter the warm colour; white metals give a cooler, more modern contrast if that is the look you want. It also makes lovely drop earrings and pendants, where a big stone feels light rather than heavy on the hand. We mount citrine by hand here in Coquitlam and cut the setting to fit the individual stone, so if you have found a citrine you love or want us to source one, you can start a one-off piece through our bespoke anniversary service. Resetting an inherited citrine cocktail ring into something more wearable is a popular thirteenth-anniversary job too.
Keeping citrine looking its best
Citrine is easy to live with. Warm soapy water and a soft brush is all it usually needs, and because it is a hard 7 it does not scratch easily in daily wear. The one thing to watch is strong, prolonged sunlight: some citrine, especially the heat-treated kind, can fade slightly over many years of intense sun exposure, so it is worth not leaving a piece baking on a sunny windowsill. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally fine for untreated citrine, but if you are unsure whether a stone has been treated, stick to the soapy-water method to be safe. Store it away from harder stones like diamonds and sapphires so they cannot scratch it in the box. Looked after with almost no effort, a citrine keeps its warmth for a lifetime.
Turn your thirteenth anniversary stone into a piece you’ll wear
Bring the year, the stone and a rough budget. Our on-site goldsmith in Coquitlam will design it with you — reset a stone you already own, or build something new around the right gem.
Prefer to talk? Call our studio at (604) 653-6449.Frequently asked questions
What is the 13th anniversary gemstone?
Citrine is the 13th anniversary stone. Unusually, both the traditional and modern anniversary lists agree on it, so there is no traditional-versus-modern choice to make. It is the warm golden-to-amber variety of quartz.
Is citrine hard enough for an everyday ring?
Yes. Citrine scores 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, the same as amethyst, which is hard enough for daily wear in a ring. A bezel or slightly protected setting is a good idea if the wearer is tough on their hands, since any faceted stone can chip on a sharp knock.
Is most citrine heat-treated amethyst?
A large share of it is. Natural citrine is fairly uncommon, so much of what sells as citrine is amethyst heated to turn its purple colour to gold. It is a standard, stable treatment and nothing to worry about, but an honest jeweller will tell you which you are buying.
What colours does citrine come in?
Citrine ranges from pale lemon yellow through rich gold to a deep reddish-orange known as madeira. Warmer, more saturated stones usually cost a bit more, but the best colour is simply the one you like.
Why is citrine such an affordable gemstone?
Citrine is widely available and modestly priced compared with gems like sapphire or ruby. That means the same budget buys a much larger, more eye-catching stone, which suits citrine well since it looks its best at a generous size.
Does citrine fade in sunlight?
Some citrine, particularly the heat-treated kind, can fade slightly after many years of strong, direct sun exposure. It will not fade from normal wear, but it is wise not to leave a piece sitting on a sunny windowsill for long stretches.
Is citrine linked to any birth month?
Yes. Citrine is one of the November birthstones, alongside topaz. That makes it a fitting gift for a November couple celebrating their thirteenth anniversary, giving the piece a second layer of meaning.
Can Vanhess build a custom citrine piece?
Yes. We mount citrine by hand in our Coquitlam workshop and cut the setting to fit the individual stone. Whether you have found a citrine you love or want us to source one, you can start a one-off ring, pendant, or earrings through our bespoke anniversary service.
How do I clean citrine jewellery?
Warm soapy water and a soft brush is all it needs. Store it away from harder stones such as diamonds and sapphires so they cannot scratch it. If you are unsure whether a stone has been treated, avoid ultrasonic cleaners and stick to the soapy-water method.