Citrine Pendant · Hexagonal Claw Setting

Handmade hexagonal slice citrine pendant in a 925 silver frame with four prongs. The geometric cut—hexagonal, following the natural cross-section of quartz—transforms every angle of light into a shade of golden yellow. Includes a 60 cm stainless steel chain.

Piece Details

This specific piece

The hexagonal cut is not arbitrary: quartz crystals grow in the trigonal system with naturally hexagonal cross-sections. Respecting this geometry when cutting the slice reveals the mineral's internal structure and gives mineralogical coherence to the piece — the shape comes from the crystal.

The hexagonal silver frame embraces the slice with four prongs at alternating vertices, leaving the other three exposed for light to enter laterally and activate the deep golden yellow hues.

How citrine color is formed

Pure quartz is colorless. The golden-yellow color of citrine comes from trace amounts of iron (Fe³⁺). Amethyst — violet quartz due to Fe⁴⁺ — turns golden-yellow when heated between 470–560 °C: color centers rearrange and shift the absorption of the visible spectrum. The result is gemologically indistinguishable from natural citrine; both are quartz with identical physical properties.

What setting it works for

• Silver 925 or oxidized silver jewelry — oxidized silver intensifies the contrast with the golden yellow. At 7 Mohs, citrine withstands daily wear as a pendant.
• Geometric frames with prongs — the hexagonal cut is especially suited for settings with defined angles; maintains crystal proportions.
• Medium gauge wire wrap (24–26 AWG) — the flat slice offers good grip; thicker gauge provides rigidity to the edge.

Citrine in lapidary tradition

Citrine gets its name from the Latin citrus (lemon). It was called "poor man's topaz" throughout history and used as an amulet in the Mediterranean basin since ancient times. In the 20th century, Art Deco adopted it for its warm tones and accessibility compared to imperial topaz.

In crystal tradition, citrine is associated with solar energy, abundance, and mental clarity. It is called the "merchant's stone" in crystal therapy for its symbolic link to prosperity and positive dynamism.

The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice.

How to recognize genuine citrine

Quartz citrine — natural or treated — has good transparency and no bubbles (bubbles indicate glass). Natural citrine shows irregular color zones; treated citrine tends to have a more uniform color. Distinguishing without laboratory analysis is practically impossible. Color: from pale yellow to golden orange.

Frequently asked questions

Is it natural citrine or heated amethyst?

It is heat-treated amethyst to achieve golden citrine color, as indicated in the details. Gemologically, it is quartz in both cases; the treatment changes the color but not the physical properties. No additional detectable treatment.

Is the hexagon the cut of the original crystal?

Quartz grows with natural hexagonal sections in the trigonal system. The cut takes advantage of this geometry; the exact dimensions are the result of lapidary work, not spontaneous crystal growth.

How to care for this pendant?

Clean with a soft cloth dampened with warm water. Quartz tolerates mild household cleaners. Avoid ultrasonics if there are visible inclusions. See Jewelry Care.

See also: other handmade pendants | silversmithing collection.