Citrine is the golden variety of quartz. Its name, derived from the French “citron,” means lemon. Although its chemical composition is nearly identical to amethyst, citrine’s golden color comes from the trace amounts of iron while amethyst’s purple comes from manganese. Like both amethyst and smoky quartz, citrine’s color may fade if left in sunlight.
Natural gem-quality citrine, most of which is pale yellow, is extremely rare. The finest stones come from Brazil or Spain. Most citrine is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, and has a reddish tint. Stones which have been heat-treated have no pleochroism, while the natural stones show weak pleochroism.
Citrine actually became popular in the mid-1700s when it was discovered that smoky quartz and amethyst would turn golden when burned between temperatures of 470 and 560 degrees.
Citrine has a long history of being confused with yellow topaz---it’s been called Bahia-topaz, gold topaz, Spanish topaz, and Madeira topaz—but citrine’s specific gravity is much lighter than topaz’s, and topaz is harder stone with more fire.

Astrology: a November birthstone; also connected with both Virgo and the planet Mercury
Chakra: 3rd (solar plexus), and 1st (base) and 2nd (sacral)
Metaphysically, citrine is known as a stone that cleanses the chakras and gives both energy and joy. Its energy is believed to both stimulate and warm, and the crystal is said to promote a sense of optimism. It is one of the few stones that never needs to be cleared or cleansed and is said to dissolve negative energy. In healing practices, citrine is most often used to activate the 3rd chakra, its golden light balancing the natural yellow light of the solar plexus. But orange citrine is also recommended for energizing the 2nd chakra, and the darker citrines for grounding the 1st; ; the stone is also said to be helpful in balancing hormonal surges. Citrine is known as a crystal that protects the aura. Some healers recommend that citrine crystals be worn pointdown to bring the “golden ray of spirit” into this material realm.

Citrine is a crystal of great warmth and brightness, and adding citrine beads to a piece is like bringing in a ray of sunlight. Citrine is absolutely perfect with its quartz sister, amethyst. It also works well with peridot, moss and green agate, smoky quartz, grey and white pearls, blue topaz, blue sapphire, and both red and green garnets. Citrine is a fairly tough stone that won’t scratch or crack easily, so it’s fine for bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings.

Color: light yellow to golden brown
Chemical composition: SiO2 silicon dioxide
Mohs’ hardness: 7
Transparency: Transparent
Luster: Vitreous
Fracture: Conchoidal, very brittle
Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal); hexagonal prisms with pyramids
Cleavage: None
Specific gravity: 2.65
Refractive index: 1.544-1.553
Dispersion: 0.013
Pleochroism: Natural: Weak; yellow-light yellow
Heat-treated: none
Fluorescence: None
Occurrence: Brazil, France, Malagasy Republic, Myamar Russia, Scotland, Spain, United States