Citrine

Citrine is the warm yellow to orange variety of quartz, and it is one of the two birthstones for November. It is also one of the most misdescribed stones in the trade, so this page spends some time on what you are really likely to be looking at.

What it is

Citrine is silicon dioxide with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Its colour comes from iron impurities. Natural citrine, formed at the right temperature and with the right trace elements, is fairly rare and is usually a pale, lemony yellow. The deep orange to reddish-brown stones sold in large numbers today are almost always amethyst or smoky quartz that has been heated to change the colour.

There is nothing shameful in that, but it is worth knowing. Heat-enhanced material is chemically and physically quartz, and it keeps its colour permanently, but it is not what a mineral collector would call natural citrine. Brazil is the largest source of both natural and heated stones, and material also comes from Madagascar, Spain and parts of Africa.

History and culture

The name comes from the French citron, for lemon, and through Latin citrus. Yellow quartz was known in the ancient world and was often called by the same names as other yellow stones, especially topaz, so historical references are hard to pin to a single mineral. Yellow quartz was popular in Scottish and other European jewellery in the nineteenth century, and in the twentieth century citrine became fashionable in Art Deco pieces, where large warm-toned stones suited the style.

Citrine is a birthstone for November in both the modern American list and the traditional United Kingdom list that our birthstone finder uses, alongside topaz. The November birthstone page explains the pairing.

What crystal traditions associate with it

In many crystal traditions, citrine is associated with warmth, optimism and abundance, and it is sometimes called the merchant’s stone, because it is said to be kept by shopkeepers near a till. That is a modern trade folk custom, not an ancient one, and there is no evidence that any stone affects business. It is also often linked with the solar plexus in the chakra system, and with the Sun and the sign Leo in some zodiac stone lists, though sources disagree.

How people use it

People wear citrine as rings, pendants and earrings, where its clear, sunny colour is easy to enjoy. Others keep a small cluster or tumbled stone in a workspace or by a door. Those who use crystals for intention-setting sometimes hold a stone while thinking about goals for the day, and a few keep it near the place they do creative work. Whether you choose a pale natural stone or a richer heated one, the choice is aesthetic.

Care and safety

• Citrine is stable in water and can be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth.
• Natural pale citrine can fade in strong sunlight, so keep it out of direct sun for long periods.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes.
• Do not swallow stones or place them in drinks.

Buying honestly

Because so much citrine is heated amethyst, a seller who says “natural citrine” for a deep orange stone should be able to explain the claim. Natural citrine is usually paler and more lemon or honey coloured, and the colour is often even rather than banded. Some stones sold as citrine are glass, or are simply other yellow quartz. A certificate from a gemmological laboratory is the only reliable proof for an expensive piece.

Sourcing

Brazilian mining ranges from large operations to small artisanal workings. Ask where a stone came from if that matters to you.

A note on health. Crystals are valued for beauty, meaning and ritual. There is no scientific evidence that they treat health conditions. If you are struggling with your health or mood, please speak to a doctor.

Frequently asked questions