Citrine: Origins, properties and benefits

Citrine is a transparent yellow quartz that has been highly prized in jewelry and lithotherapy since antiquity. It takes its name from its sunny, citrus-like color.
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Meaning of citrine

The name of this gemstone comes from the Latin "citrus", meaning "lemon". It recalls the hue of citrus fruits such as lemons.
It is sometimes called yellow hyaline quartz.

Origins of citrine

In ancient Greece, this natural stone was considered a good-luck charm, able to ward off the evil eye and protect against reptiles. It was worn as a talisman or amulet in jewelry.
The Romans were particularly fond of it in jewelry. It was cut into pendants, cabochons or beads and adorned rings, brooches and necklaces. Citrine was also used to create decorative and religious objects.

In China, the color yellow is often associated with good luck and nobility. This is why citrine, because of its golden color, was nicknamed "lucky stone" or "merchant stone". Chinese merchants used to keep one in their crates, believing that the stone would bring them fortune and wealth.

In the 19th century, this yellow stone adorned the combs and tiaras of high society ladies.

What are citrine's properties?

Citrine belongs to the quartz family. It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, making it a solid stone. Its average density is 2.65g/cm³.
Although this gemstone is shock-resistant, it does not like heat.

What color is citrine?

It ranges from pale yellow toorange-brown, lemon yellow and golden yellow. Its color is due to the small amount of iron oxide in its composition. It is transparent with a vitreous sheen.

Because of its color, it is sometimes confused with yellow topaz, due to their almost identical color, or with zircon.
When heated to 500°C, pale violet amethyst turns into citrine.

Amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz and crystal quartz all belong to the same mineral family: quartz.
Quartz can change color when heated:

• Smoky Quartz turns brown,

• Yellow for Citrine,

• purple for amethyst,

• And, more rarely, blue for Blue Quartz: which explains why the latter hue is rarer and more expensive.

These variations are natural and are what make this stone so charming.

Where to find natural citrine?

The main citrine deposits are in Madagascar, Europe (Germany, Spain, Austria, Czech Republic), Brazil and the United States.
It is found in the same deposits as amethyst. It sometimes even mixes with amethyst to create a surprising purple and yellow stone. It is then calledametrine.

What are the benefits of citrine?

In lithotherapy, citrine is considered a positive stone, promoting joy and optimism and eliminating negative energies. It also boosts self-confidence, willpower, courage and motivation.
It is said to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
It is also said to stimulate creativity and inspiration.

What is the citrine chakra? This yellow stone is linked to the solar plexus. It is said to help balance and stimulate the solar plexus, promoting a sense of self-confidence, mental clarity and positive energy.
Citrine is recommended for meditation and reiki practices.

If you're a Leo, Sagittarius or Gemini, citrine is the stone for you!

How to recharge citrine

According to lithotherapists, purifying and recharging citrine are important steps in maintaining its energy and effectiveness.

To purify it, you can gently soak it in salt water (water mixed with non-iodized salt), unless the stone has inclusions or has undergone treatment. Alternatively, pass the citrine stone through incense, white sage or cedar smoke. The smoke cleanses negative energies.

Citrine is sensitive to heat, so avoid exposing it to direct sunlight. To recharge it, place it under the moon's rays. Place your citrine on a quartz cluster or inside a quartz geode to amplify the action of this step.

How to use citrine stone

Citrine blends perfectly with gold. Use stainless steel, gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry primers to create original bracelets, rings, necklaces or earrings.
Thecombination of citrine and silver also works. If you're part of the silver team, you can easily create pretty DIY jewelry with Stainless Steel or 925 Sterling Silver.

Which stone to match with citrine? Amethyst, rose quartz, carnelian, aventurine and pyrite. Combining any of these stones with citrine could amplify their energies.
Which stone should not be combined with citrine? Black onyx, hematite and obsidian. These stones, with their overly powerful energies, could interfere with citrine's benefits.