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The Magic of Rocks and Stones

Stones - History, Myths and Lore /  Amethyst /  Aquamarine /  Aragonite /  Aventurine /  Black Tourmaline /  Bloodstone /  Carnelian /  Celestite /  Citrine /  Fluorite /  Hematite /  Labradorite /  Lapis Lazuli /  Malachite /  Moonstone /  Pyrite /  Quartz (Rock Crystal) /  Rose Quartz /Selenite /  Seraphinite  / Smoky Quartz /  Sodalite

Citrine

Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin

Citrine is any quartz crystal or cluster that is yellow or orange in color, and was named for the French word for lemon.."citron".  Found in its natural state it is often cut as a gemstone, but natural Citrine is actually rare.  Most of the Citrine found on the market today is simply Amethyst which has been heat treated. (Amethyst will turn yellow when heated at high temperatures between 878 and 1,040ºF, or 470 and 560ºC).  Citrines produced by artificial means (heat treated) tend to have more of an orange or reddish tint than those found in nature, which are usually a pale yellow.  One exception to this rule is the darker colored natural Citrine called Madeira Citrine, named for its color's resemblance to Madeira wines.  Madeira Citrine is generally more valuable than the lighter yellow Citrines.  Much of natural Citrine may also have started out as Amethyst but heat from nearby magmatic bodies in the Earth's crust caused the change to Citrine.  A popular gemstone on the market today is a mixture of half Amethyst and half Citrine, called Ametrine. 

Citrine is often confused with orange or yellow Topaz, but Topaz is a totally different mineral of Aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide (Al2 SiO2 (F,OH)3).  Citrine, though one of the most valuable forms of Quartz, is only one of several Quartz varieties.  Other varieties that form macroscopic (large enough to see) crystals are: Amethyst, Rock Crystal (clear Quartz), Rose Quartz, and Smoky Quartz. 

Citrine is the secondary birthstone for November; Topaz being the primary. 

General Information: 

*Chemistry:  SiO2, Silicon dioxide with colloidal iron hydrates. 

*Class:  Silicates. 

*Group:  Quartz. 

*Color:  Transparent to translucent light yellow to dark orange to golden brown. 

*Luster:  Glassy to vitreous. 

*Crystal System:  Trigonal.  

*Crystal Habit:  Prismatic, striated, or massive granular; twinning is common. 

*Cleavage:  Absent 

*Fracture:  Conchoidal, very brittle 

*Hardness:  7 

*Specific Gravity:  2.65 - 2.7 

*Streak:  White. 

*Other Characteristics:  Found many times among Amethyst deposits.   

*Notable Occurrences:  Brazil; Ural Mountains, Russia; Dauphine, France; Madagascar.     

*Best Field Indicators:  Color, crystal habit. 

*Uses:  Gemstone and ornamental stone. 

Myths and Lore: 

Citrine was one of the stones used in the breastplate of the High Priest.  In ancient times, it was carried as a protection against the plague, skin problems, snake bites, and evil thoughts.   

Known as "The Merchant's Stone", Citrine is said to bring prosperity when placed in a cash register as if drawing the money there. 

Since Citrine is reported to hold no negativity, it never requires cleansing or clearing. 

Metaphysical Properties: 

Astrological Sign(s): Libra, Gemini, Aries, Leo 

Element: Air 

Solar Plexus Chakra. 

Optimism. 

Confidence. 

Energizing, recharging. 

Promotes creativity. 

Mental clarity. 

Problem solving. 

Abundance ("The Merchant's Stone). 

Self-esteem. 

*Gives physical aid in treating: Heart, kidneys, liver, digestive tract and muscle problems.  Balances thyroid; stimulates thymus.  Helps in overcoming depression, fears and phobias. 

*NOTE: Stone therapy should NOT take the place of medical evaluation and procedures, and should be used merely to enhance one's health and well-being. 

My own thoughts and experiences: 

Citrine does one of two things for me (and sometimes simultaneously).  As my Happy-Happy-Joy stone, Citrine's sunny qualities better my disposition and increase my optimism.  As my Wake-Up! and Cut-To-The-Chase stone, Citrine clears my mind and illuminates, while bringing energy to a situation.  I've loved Citrine for a long time now, and, next to Peridot, it is one of my favorite gemstones...and the lighter the yellow, the better. 

So how does Citrine work?  Well...  

Take a trip into the rainy forest of your mind, where dark and muddy waters have puddled and plagued your thoughts this past day (week, month, year).  Now think of a sudden drop of bright light yellow sunshine piercing that canopy of deep, dark forest shadow.  It falls on your face and you at once bask in its warmth.  ~This is the optimism of Citrine. 

Next, imagine calmly sitting down in a mossy glen of your now somehow not-so-chaotic forest, where you kick a pebble into a nearby puddle.  You watch the reflected light of the sunbeam ripple outward from that one central point of entry.  ~This is the mental clarity and mandala-like focus of Citrine. 

Then think of yourself leaning up against an old, fallen, worn out log, which is vaguely reminiscent of how you felt only hours ago.  Suddenly a bee or two goes buzzing by your head (sorry TJ..lol), and you realize that there is a hive hidden in the depths of the old log.  Have you been an old log about something?  And what is hidden in the depths of you?  Mused and amused, you contemplate the bees' activity...in and out of the hive their furry little airborn yellow bodies quickly go, not randomly, but in a determined and organized dance.  ~This is the energizing and recharging of Citrine. 

Now imagine the sunlight shifting a little as the Earth beneath you moves, and the sunbeam now rests directly on the hive. You shift your ody too and move closer, unafraid because you are now excited to be privy to such a splendid display of purpose.  Before your eyes, a beautiful golden drop of honey begins to flow out of one of the hexagonal honeycomb cells and the sunlight catches it just right, flashing a sparkle into your eye.  The honey flows, and now your sense of purpose flows too.  You take your hand and bravely put your finger on what you couldn't seem to put your finger on before...that golden drop of inspiration.  Tasting it, you find it is sweet.  And the whole process has suddenly given you a solution to your own dilemma.  ~This is Citrine's problem-solving capability. 

Feeling energized and perky, you give a hearty thank-you wave to the bees and now happily skip through the woods, determined to put your new thoughts into practice.  As you near the edge of the forest though, you stop for another quick look at what lies ahead.  There, in the near distance lies a large lake whose also rippling waters are catching the last sunrays of the day.  You gasp and your heart swells, taking in the sheer magnitude and beauty of the sparkling and reflective golden water.  ~This is Citrine's abundance. 

So may your forests be deep and beautiful, but never too dark, as you carry your Citrine that lends you its spark. 

End.

Sources: 

"Love Is In the Earth" ~ Melody 

"The Crystal Bible" ~ Judy Hall 

http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/gemstone/citrine/citrine.htm 

© Patricia J. Martin 

Website:  http://www.peacefulpaths.com/