Citrine is a stone of the quartz group, distinguished by delicate citrus shades. The mineral, beloved by jewelers for its ease of processing and compatibility with settings made of any metal, was previously considered a type of topaz.
Citrine jewelry is not only beautiful and versatile, but is also used as amulets for healing, wellness, spiritual development and inspiration.
Colors and types of stone
Chemically, citrine is silicon oxide (SiO2). The mineral is relatively hard, but heat treatment significantly increases its fragility, but at the same time makes the color more saturated and golden.
Typical shades of citrine are pale lemon, golden, light orange (amber), brown-yellow (honey). Color variations are due to the presence of impurities (iron, aluminum) and structural defects. Chemical and physical characteristics of the mineral:
- hardness – 7 Mohs points;
- density – 2.65 g/cm3;
- refraction – 1.552–1.554;
- birefringence – 0.009;
- shine – glass;
- transparency – transparent (there are translucent specimens);
- syngony – trigonal;
- cleavage – rhombohedral;
- fracture – conchoidal;
- fragility – high;
- natural form - single or combined regular crystals, druses.
Interesting! The mineral gets its name from the Latin “citrus”, due to its lemon color.
Natural stone – lemon color. All other shades indicate heat treatment of the mineral.
Rare varieties of citrine are false emerald and ametrine. The first variety, greenish-yellow, has no jewelry value because it quickly loses its brightness under ultraviolet light. And ametrine is a unique mixture of citrine and amethyst, mined mainly in Brazil.
It appears as a banded mineral with alternating violet (amethyst) and pale yellow (citrine) layers.
Story
Citrine is a rare representative of the quartz family of minerals.
For centuries, the citrine stone did not have a name. It was considered and called topaz: Spanish, Bohemian, Western. The name was established in the 18th century and is translated from Latin and European languages as “lemon yellow.”
VIPs were decorated with gold-colored crystal seals for confidential documents.
Medicinal properties
The healing effect of citrine is aimed at the navel and solar plexus, so the stone heals almost all internal organs.
The stone is used to:
- normalize the functioning of the digestive tract;
- get rid of pathologies of the urinary system;
- cure gynecological diseases;
- improve brain performance, strengthen memory;
- relieve spinal pain, improve motor activity in skeletal diseases;
- normalize mental and emotional state, get rid of depression, insomnia, nervous disorders;
- increase the effectiveness of medications taken.
Note! Only high-quality unprocessed citrines that have retained the power of nature have healing powers. Stones that have been subjected to heat treatment, as well as those with structural defects, have no therapeutic value.
Talismans, amulets, amulets
Pendant with untreated citrine
The magical properties of the stone have been known since antiquity. The ancient Romans considered it an attribute of orators, in Russia - merchants, since it allegedly helped to make capital. The Indians used it as an amulet against snakes.
Citrine stone is still used as a talisman today:
- politicians - to be convincing when speaking;
- gambling people - so that Fortune is nearby and peace of mind is maintained;
- bohemian personalities - to attract inspiration;
- people whose main tool is their hands - jewelers, surgeons, engravers, restorers, hand-made artists;
- sales agents, brokers, brokers - to benefit from information or personal connections;
- natures with a subtle mental organization - stones are suitable for becoming more tempered and believing in yourself;
- businessmen take bright orange copies with them to negotiations or signing contracts. A business woman needs a pendant, a man needs a signet with citrine.
Paranormal researchers are confident that the mineral, by creating an impenetrable aura around the owner, protects against external negativity. The main thing is that the crystal affects the solar plexus, balancing and improving the mental and physical state of a person.
Citrine and the signs of the Zodiac
Citrine is a stone that has properties suitable for almost all signs. Only Scorpios, Aries and Cancers should wear it with extreme caution.
According to the horoscope, citrine, which belongs to the element of Air, is associated with the sign of Gemini.
Patronizing planet - Mercury. However, in the solar-lunar dualistic opposition, the stone is closer to solar energy, therefore, it is loyal to the fiery zodiac signs and enhances their typical character traits. Change
| Zodiac sign | Compatibility (“+++” – ideal, “++” – good, “+” – acceptable, “–” – prohibited to wear) | Influence on the representative of the sign |
| Aries | — | increases assertiveness, which can negatively affect life |
| Taurus | + | increases organizational skills, imparts a desire for leadership |
| Twins | +++ | gives happiness, helps in all areas of life |
| Cancer | — | increases activity, excites, which may not be to the liking of calm and homely representatives of the sign |
| a lion | + | eliminates pride and self-interest, which has a beneficial effect on one’s career and helps in self-improvement |
| Virgo | + | helps improve financial situation, but subject to generosity and selflessness |
| Scales | + | helps in moving up the career ladder and making business contacts |
| Scorpion | — | suppresses character traits typical of the sign - temperament, irritability, hot temper, but prolonged exposure can cause mental problems |
| Sagittarius | + | gives tone, supports in building a career and making profitable acquaintances |
| Capricorn | + | fills with optimism, helps to find a purpose in life |
| Aquarius | +++ | gives luck in all areas of life even in the absence of effort on the part of the sign’s representative |
| Fish | + | fills with vitality, supports in difficult and responsible life situations |
Name compatibility
Citrine develops intuition, helps to avoid troubles, makes women with the following names calmer, softer, balanced, and more sociable:
- Angelica.
- Daria.
- Oksana.
- Rose.
- Stella.
- Caroline.
To achieve success in all areas of life, increase tone and performance, and good luck in any endeavor, it is recommended to wear a citrine amulet for men with the names:
- Georgy.
- Nikita.
- Timofey.
- Leonid.
- Rostislav.
- Valentin.
Compatibility with other stones
Citrine is ideally compatible with stones of the related air element:
- rock crystal;
- amethyst;
- tourmaline;
- yellow beryl;
- chrysoprase;
- chalcedony;
- uvarovitis;
- topaz;
- green pomegranate;
- fluorite.
Citrine is loyal to stones of the fire element, even enhancing their magical effects (with the exception of precious rubies and diamonds). You can combine it with minerals of approximately equal value:
- pomegranate;
- heliolite;
- amber;
- carnelian;
- pyrite;
- charoite.
The relationship of citrine to stones of the Earth element is neutral. Minerals can be combined if desired; they will not have any effect on each other. Citrine combines beautifully with minerals:
- turquoise;
- jasper;
- obsidian;
- nephritis;
- malachite;
- jadeite;
- agate;
- Labrador
It is strictly forbidden to combine citrine with aqueous minerals. When the elements of Water and Air combine, an energy storm is formed, which negatively affects the owner and the minerals themselves. Combination with mineral is unacceptable:
- opal;
- emerald;
- pearls;
- sapphire;
- alexandrite;
- peridot;
- aventurine;
- zircon.
“Must Have” for fashionistas
Currently, minimalism is encouraged in jewelry, i.e. laconic forms, as it always fits into any clothing style and looks relevant. One of the fashion trends is a mix of metals, when the jewelry design is presented in the form of two metals: yellow and white (Longines Flagship watch, Tissot Ballade Powermatic 80 Silicium watch)
Complex chains - specially intertwined with each other with the addition of a stone pendant - go well with clothes of solid colors. The main thing is to remember that to match the delicate features of the face (in the “petit” style), choose more elegant jewelry, for example, pendants with small inclusions of stones in the form of letters and initials. These lovely nuances in a delicate style also look on earrings. Large facial features go well with massive jewelry. By following this rule, your appearance will be in harmony with the chosen jewelry.
How to wear and care
Citrine jewelry can often be seen in jewelry stores. The stone is inserted into rings, pendants, bracelets, and earrings. Citrines without internal defects are faceted, and stones with veins and cracks are cabochon-cut.
The ideal setting for citrine is made of a light precious metal: silver or white gold.
Citrine jewelry is suitable for brown-haired and blond men with brown and green eyes, especially if the skin is dark. Red hair enhances the amber shine of the stone. For citrine jewelry, choose clothes of different shades of yellow; white, gray, black, yellow-green, dark blue wardrobe items are suitable. But you shouldn’t wear red things.
What kind of animal is this?
The closest “relatives” of citrine are prasiolite, amethyst, binhemite, and, as mentioned above, quartz. Actually, citrine differs from classic quartz only in color. Jewelers classify this nugget as class IV precious stones.
Our distant ancestors, as usual, attributed certain magical properties to stones. For example, the Greeks and Romans believed that citrine jewelry endowed its owner with extraordinary rhetorical abilities, while Africans and Indians used the mineral as a talisman against poisonous reptiles.
How to recognize a fake
Although citrine is a semi-precious mineral, you should not think that scammers are not making counterfeits. To create surrogate products, stones of the lowest cost are used. But citrine is easy to distinguish from a fake:
- Minor inclusions and breaks inside the stone are a sign of naturalness. An ideally clean product is glass.
- The coloring of fakes is more intense and bright. Natural citrine has a softer, more pleasant color.
- Real citrine changes color slightly as the angle relative to the eye changes. If a stone turned in different directions does not change color, then it is a surrogate stone.
Citrine is a talisman for creative people, speakers, businessmen, traders, gamblers and adventurers. The stone attracts business and financial success, helps to establish contacts, and makes one’s character more open. Citrine jewelry has not lost popularity for many decades.
Price
It is a valuable gemstone and a sought after mineral by collectors.
Natural crystals are expensive, so they often offer examples of fired smoky quartz, the price of which is more affordable. Visually they are indistinguishable from natural ones. Natural citrine costs 550–560 rubles per carat.
Madeira specimens have the highest price - they have increased light and heat resistance.
How much a stone costs is influenced by:
- weight;
- degree of purity;
- color;
- saturation.
The highest price for large stones of absolute purity, darkened areas or matte inclusions reduce it.
Pure transparent citrine crystal is given a brilliant cut. For cloudy or cracked stones, use a flat or cabochon.
