CITRINE

CITRINE

Citrine comes from the Latin CITRUS and the French CITRON which means "lemon". It is a clear light-yellow quartz crystal.

Natural citrines are rare. Most commercial citrines are heat-treated amethysts. The difference between a heat-treated citrine and a natural one is small lines within the crystal. However, this can also be hard to distinguish as the lines are dependent on the intensity of the heat. Citrines are also very similar in colour and transparency to yellow topaz. The only way you can tell is by its hardness level. Citrine is 7 on the Mohs scale while topaz is 8.

Citrine is of light-lemon color to light-brown hue with some orange in it. Its colour is due to traces of iron in it. The most valued citrine is the intensely soaked reddish orange color that comes from Brazil and Uruguay. It is called Madeira Citrine. Fire Citrine is the second most sought after, also from Brazil.

There are different types of citrines;

Yellow Citrine or Lemon Citrine - citrine with a lemon-yellow colour.

Golden Citrine - citrine with a golden yellow colour.

Madeira Citrine - citrine with a golden orange to reddish brown colour.

Fire Citrine - citrine with deep orange colour.

Palmeria Citrine - citrine with bright orange colour.

Note: Lemon Quartz is plain quartz that has been irradiated to create its lemon color. In other words, Lemon Quartz is not CITRINE.

Citrine, like amethyst, is very sensitive to light. So, make sure you do not leave it in the open for too long.

Citrine and Amethyst are found inside geodes. A geode is a circular or oval shaped rock formed from cooled lava, trapping gases within its empty cavities left over by animals and tree roots. As the gas and water are pushed out, crystals form inside. This process takes thousands and even millions of years. In areas where there are elements of iron, amethyst grow out from the geodes. The heat from nearby magmatic bodies naturally "cooked" the amethyst turning it into natural citrine.

The majority of natural citrine is now mined in Brazil. Ametrine which is a natural variety of a mixture of amethyst and citrine is mined in Bolivia.

Citrine was associated with the Greek Goddess of the Harvest, Demeter. In Egypt, it was related to the goddess of power, the lion-headed Goddess Sekhmet.

In 1556 Georg Bauer named what was often referred to as yellow quartz by the Greeks and Romans, "citrine".

In ancient times citrine was worn as an amulet against venom and all evil forms of thinking, which is also a sort of venom to the soul and spirit.

In the 17th century Queen Victoria was fascinated with the vibrant sunny citrine that she popularized it by adorning herself with jewelries made of citrine. During this time, Scottish used citrines on the handles of daggers and swords. Citrine was also chosen to embellish kilt pins and shoulder brooches.

Citrine to the ancient Chinese was called “The Stone of Success." Chinese emperors loved citrine jewellery because they believed that this sacred gemstone increased their knowledge and understanding and made them wise.

Citrine was used as an amulet for protection against epidemics, plagues, evil forms of thinking such as alcoholic obsession. In today's context where drug use is rampant, I'm sure citrine will help, too, in stopping people from the vice traps of drugs and any obsession.

Citrine has been called the “merchant stone” because it is strongly believed to bring success in business and augment profit. It is a stone that can help you acquire wealth and increase abundance in any business ventures.

It was also used as a protection against libels, scandals and betrayal and to ward off hatred and envy.

Citrine is known as a stone of manifestation. It helps to clear blockages and gives strength and fortitude to challenges and gives you the spur to move forward and accomplish your goals.

Citrine is the birthstone for November as it brings to mind the soft warm glow of autumn.

Citrine bonds family relationships and attracts love and affection and happiness as it resonates with the lively sun energy. It carries within itself the power of the sun, a life and energy giver. It gives warmth and beauty to the world.