Citrine

Faceted citrine gems set in a dazzling accessory.

Citrine is a form of quartz that is pale yellow to brown in colour due to minimal amounts of three-valent iron (Fe³⁺) and ionizing radiation. The quartz mineral group is the second-most abundant mineral source in the world. Unlike Amethyst, however, citrine is rarely found in nature and most specimens on the market today are heat-treated amethyst or Smoky Quartz. Some may even achieve a ‘burnt’ reddish-orange look due to overheating.

Yellow-orange citrine cluster.

Natural citrine is usually found in pegmatites or in hydrothermal veins in druses or clefts near volcanic areas in its natural pale-yellow to brown colour. It has a vitreous, glossy lustre and a desirable hardness of 7 on the Moh’s scale, making the crystal a popular use in jewellry.

Traces of citrine found within amethyst crystals are referred to as Ametrine.

Cut citrine gemstones are sometimes referred to mistakenly as yellow Topaz, a much rarer and expensive semi-precious gemstone. It is difficult to differentiate the two unless tested for its hardness (topaz is 8 on the Moh’s scale), or weighed (topaz is slightly heavier).

Citrine is one of the birthstones for November.

History

Natural citrine sphere.

The word “citrine” is derived from the Latin word for yellow (citrina) which later led to the French word for lemon (citron). In the past the term was used to refer to a host of yellow-coloured gemstones such as yellow beryl or zircon, and it wasn’t until 1546 that “citrine” was officially assigned to yellow quartz (Gienger, 269).

Little information is available on the historic uses of citrine due to its rarity in nature. Citrine was not made commercially available until the mid-eighteenth century when it was discovered that common quartz crystals like amethyst or smoky quartz can be heat-treated at 500°C to look like citrine. Heat-treated citrine began to gain popularity in Europe in the 1930s (ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein).

Healing Properties

Citrine is known as a stone of good fortune, bringing warmth, happiness, and cheerful dispositions to all who near it – like a piece of the sun. It is also believed that, because of this, citrine is a merchant stone that brings about financial gain; many businesses like to put a few pieces of citrine next to their cashier or wallet. In a household setting, citrine should be placed in the corner of the room opposite to the entrance so it may be clearly visible to anyone upon entering the space.

Physically, the stone helps to stimulate the digestive system in the body, including the stomach, spleen, and pancreas. It even helps to alleviate the early stages of diabetes.

Mentally, citrine helps one to understand the impressions that others have given and to quickly draw conclusions from it. It also helps to confront and clarify a situation that left an unclear impression on the holder.

As the stone of joie de vivre (French lit. joy of living), citrine bestows joy and happiness and disperses sadness or depression. It encourages one to be extroverted and expressive, free from oppressive influences.

Spiritually, the stone promotes individuality, self-confidence, and the courage to enjoy life. Although it helps one become a dynamic person with a desire for variety, it does not create overconfidence, but instead creates moments for self-realization (Gienger, 269).

Scientific info

References

Michael Gienger, Crystal Power, Crystal Healing (London: Cassell & Co., 2000), 269.
Peter Darling, Crystal Identifier (New York: Shooting Star Press, Inc., 1996), 102.
ICA Gem Bureau Idar-Oberstein. “Citrine.” Accessed September 16, 2010 <http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/citrine.html>
Mindat.org. “Citrine.” Accessed September 16, 2010 <http://www.mindat.org/min-1054.html>