The gemstone Citrine is the official birthstone for the month of November as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is also the Planetary stone for the Sun Sign of Virgo and the accepted gem for the 13th and 17th wedding anniversary. Corresponding signs are Gemini, Aries, Libra, and Leo.
Citrine is a variety of quartz ranging in colors of yellow, yellow-brown, orange, dark orange-brown, reddish-brown. Iron is the element which gives Citrine its warm golden color. Extreme heat, whether naturally occurring or applied by man, will turn amethyst into a burnt golden color. Technically, it is "burnt amethyst," but is usually categorized as citrine. Citrine crystals can form together with amethyst or smoky quartz to form a bi-colored quartz called ametrine. Some amethyst deposits have been found where the amethyst was changed naturally by high temperatures to brown citrine.
Almost all citrine that is available on the market today is heat-treated amethyst. Natural citrine is pale yellow to pale orange, much lighter than the heat-treated material which is dark orange-brown to reddish-brown. All of the heat-treated material has a red tint, while natural citrine does not.
Most citrine comes from Brazil, but almost all of the Brazilian material is heat-treated amethyst. Natural citrine can also be found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, in Dauphine, France, and in Madagascar. The inexpensive low grade amethyst is heated at high temperatures to produce the popular orange, reddish and sherry colored citrine. Darker colors are considered more valuable, including the medium golden orange and dark sherry-colors.
Citrine may be mistaken for the more expensive orangish-yellow topaz and, at times, may be sold as topaz by dishonest gemstone vendors. Due to this, citrine buyers are sometimes suspicious of any citrine and think it may actually be fake topaz.
Metaphysical:
Citrine is one of the only stones which dissipates negative energy, and never requires cleansing or clearing. Warm energy, promotes optimism. Activates third chakra and creates a cheerful mood. Enhances body's healing energy. Boosts self-confidence and willpower. Good for mental focus, endurance, and self-esteem. A large crystal or cluster in the home or workplace can help create a happy, abundant energy flow. A stone for prosperity, it is a good one for merchants. Use with affirmations for self-worth, energy and personal power.
Chakra: Spleen
Composition: A form of Quartz Crystal - Silicon Dioxide
Hardness: 7
Citrine is one of the only stones which dissipates negative energy, and never requires cleansing or clearing. Warm energy, promotes optimism. Activates third chakra and creates a cheerful mood. Enhances body's healing energy. Boosts self-confidence and willpower. Good for mental focus, endurance, and self-esteem. A large crystal or cluster in the home or workplace can help create a happy, abundant energy flow. A stone for prosperity, it is a good one for merchants. Use with affirmations for self-worth, energy and personal power.
Chakra: Spleen
Composition: A form of Quartz Crystal - Silicon Dioxide
Hardness: 7