Citrine Crystal Meaning, Healing Properties, and Everyday Uses

With a color as bright as the noonday sun, this November birthstone is like summer incarnate. You can’t help but feel uplifted by its sunny disposition and old Hollywood vibes.

Besides being beautiful, citrines are also thought to possess many healing properties, such as stimulating the thyroid and digestive system and aiding in the release of negative emotions.

In this article, we explore the history, meaning, healing properties, and everyday uses of this wholesome quartz crystal.

What is Citrine?

Citrine isa special variety of quartz. It gets its color from the presence of iron in the quartz. Depending on the concentration of iron, citrine crystals can range from pale yellow to vivid shades of amber. Citrine has a hexagonal crystal system and has a cloudy or smoky appearance in its natural form. Also known as the merchant’s stone, citrine meaning is associated with prosperity and joy and is thought to bring positive energy to the wearer’s life.

The History of Citrine

Derived from the French word citron, meaning ‘lemon’, citrine has been a beloved gemstone for millennia. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans used citrine for adorning rings and other jewelry. Queen Victoria is also known to have had an affinity for these gems and used them to embellish her 19th-century attire. Later, Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo would wear citrine on the red carpet, immortalizing it as an aspect of the Art Deco style.

Citrine Geological Properties

Color

As the name suggests, citrine is a bright and sunny gemstone that’s available in many different shades of yellow or orange. The color intensity of a citrine stone can also vary from light yellow to rich amber, depending on the amount of iron present in the crystal.

While we’re on the subject of color, it should be noted that most citrine sold today is heat-treated amethyst, which is another variety of quartz. This is because yellow citrine is hard to come by in nature.

Hardness

Hardness refers to a gem’s ability to withstand scratching. It is measured in terms of a score out of 10 on the Moh’s Scale of Mineral Hardness. Citrine is rated a 7 on the scale, making it a fairly durable gemstone that is suitable for a variety of jewelry settings. However, it can be scratched by other crystals that are harder than it, so some care should be taken when wearing citrine jewelry.

Citrine Healing Properties

Natural citrine is said to possess many healing properties and is also thought to be beneficial for counteracting the effects of negative emotions, boosting the wearer’s energy, self-esteem, and confidence. Below, you can find a comprehensive breakdown of how citrine can be beneficial for the body, mind, and soul.

Physical Healing Properties

If Vitamin D were a stone, it would be citrine. Just like basking in the warm glow of the sun, the stone’s energy can aid in warming the physical body and work wonders for those who suffer from chronic fatigue and other conditions that drain the body’s resources.

However, while citrine can act as a pick-me-up, it won’t send you into overdrive. Instead, citrine helps to balance the body by improving blood circulation and thyroid function and promoting a healthy digestive system. It can also assist in keeping allergies and skin irritations at bay and can be used as a remedy against nausea. Those who suffer from dysmenorrhea and irregular menstrual cycles may also benefit from the healing properties of citrine.

Mental and Emotional Healing Properties

It may come as no surprise that the bright and vibrant energy of this variety of quartz can be like a healing balm for those who suffer from afflictions of the mind, including depression, anxiety, and destructive tendencies.

Citrine can also provide a burst of creative energy when you feel like you’re in a rut and helps cultivate a positive mindset. Once you feel your sense of optimism returning, the benefits will spill over into your personal life, leading to healthier habits and relationships.

Metaphysical Healing Properties

Citrine is associated with the Solar Plexus and Sacral Chakra, which are represented by the color yellow and orange, respectively.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is located around four fingers above the navel, or just below the rib cage. It is the center of your identity, willpower, and self-esteem. When the Solar Plexus Chakra is unbalanced, you may lack motivation and self-confidence, and struggle with obsessive, over-controlling thoughts or behaviors.

The Sacral Chakra is located around four fingers below the navel, close to the pubic bone. It is the seat of your emotions, creativity, and sexuality. When the Sacral Chakra is unbalanced, you may experience a block in creativity and feel overstimulated, leading to feelings of detachment or emotionally checking out.

Because citrine works to align both these chakras, it makes an excellent crystal for those who need some help staying grounded.

Frequently Asked Questions About Citrine

What is citrine good for?

Citrine is a member of the quartz family that radiates warmth and positive energy. It can be beneficial for healing a variety of ailments, boosting energy levels, and bringing light and abundance to the life of the wearer. When worn as jewelry, citrine crystals can also work to clear blockages in the Solar Plexus or Sacral Chakra area and boost mental clarity.

How do you cleanse a citrine stone?

Although citrine is one of the only crystals that can dispel toxic energy, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t require a little TLC of its own sometimes. You can cleanse your citrine crystal simply by running it under lukewarm water to discharge any stagnant energy. You can also smudge your citrine stone with sage or palo santo. Alternatively, you can leave your citrine in the presence of other cleansing crystals like selenite or clear quartz.

How can you tell if a citrine stone is real?

One of the best ways to tell if your citrine jewelry is real is by examining the color of the gemstone. Real citrine tends to be evenly colored throughout and won’t display any drastic changes in tone. Additionally, natural citrine can be either clear or smoky, but it won’t have any visible inclusions beneath the surface.

How much is citrine worth?

While natural citrine is considered a rare stone, it can be quite affordable. However, most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, which can lower the price even more. On average, citrine can cost between $10 and $30 per carat, depending on the cut and quality of the stone.

How to incorporate citrine into your everyday life?

Whether you wear it as jewelry or use it in Feng Shui, adding a little citrine to your life can be a good way to lift the spirits on days when everything seems to be falling apart. You can also keep a citrine crystal in your home or workspace if you want to use it to increase productivity and ward off negative energy.

Is citrine a quartz?

Citrine is a yellow variety of the quartz family, which includes other crystals like amethyst, rose quartz, clear quartz, and smoky quartz.

What is natural citrine?

Natural citrine refers to citrine that has not been heat-treated by human hands to enhance its appearance. In other words, it gets its color from the iron impurities that intermingled with the silicon and oxygen molecules when the citrine crystal was formed. Because natural citrine is hard to find, other quartz crystals like amethyst and smoky quartz are frequently heat-treated to turn them into an attractive golden color.

What does citrine mean?

The color of citrus fruits, citrine was aptly named after the French word for ‘lemon’. Citrine meaning is also associated with abundance, positive vibes, and vibrant energy.

Where is citrine found?

Citrine is found in all four corners of the world, from Russia’s Ural Mountains to the tropics of Madagascar and Brazil, to the shores of Spain and even Scotland.

Where to place citrine in the home?

Citrine is an excellent gem to bring into the home, especially if you want to cultivate a positive, nurturing environment. You can place your citrine crystal into any shared space that you believe would benefit from its positive energy. You can also put a piece of citrine in your workspace to promote creativity, focus, and energy.

Can citrine be exposed to sunlight?

Being a bright and sunny stone, citrine is already laced with its own warmth. As such, it should not be exposed to prolonged periods of direct sunlight because this can lead to discoloration and fading.

How do you clean citrine gemstone jewelry?

Cleaning citrine jewelry is as simple as washing it in lukewarm water with a mild detergent and a soft cloth.

Can citrine help you sleep?

Despite its invigorating nature, citrine is known to be helpful for those who suffer from insomnia or who fear letting go in the darkness. Placing a piece of citrine under your pillow can also help to ease nightmares and attract abundance even while you sleep.

Is heat-treated citrine as good as natural citrine?

Yes, heat-treated citrine possesses all the benefits and healing properties of natural citrine, plus it looks just as beautiful.

What is madeira citrine?

Madeira citrine is a variety of citrine that is made by heat-treating amethyst to transform it into a fiery shade of orange, brown, or red. It is named after the Spanish or Portuguese word for ‘wood’ due to its characteristic earth tones and the fact that its primary source is the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Can citrine and rose quartz be worn together?

You can wear citrine and rose quartz together as they complement each other’s moods. Citrine is energized and positive, whereas rose quartz exudes softness and compassion. When worn together, these two stones may help you to adopt a lighthearted approach to life.

Are topaz and citrine the same?

Although these two gemstones are frequently mistaken for each other, topaz and citrine are very different. Citrine is a member of the quartz family, whereas topaz belongs to the silicate family of gems. Citrine is also softer than topaz, making it more prone to scratches. Interestingly, both citrine and topaz are considered birthstones for November.

Can you wear citrine every day?

Citrine has a hardness rating of 7 on the Moh’s Scale, making it suitable to wear every day. That being said, citrine is susceptible to scratches and dents from knocks and may not be suitable for someone who operates heavy machinery or works frequently with their hands.

Which crystals pair well with citrine?

Citrine is a bright and invigorating gemstone that pairs well with a variety of other crystals. If you’re looking for gems that work well with citrine by offsetting its energizing qualities, try agate, rose quartz, amethyst, tourmaline, and labradorite. Alternatively, if you’re looking to enhance citrine’s warm energy, consider pairing it with sunstone or smoky quartz.

What are the spiritual properties of citrine?

Citrine is associated with both the Sacral and Solar Plexus Chakras. It is said to cultivate confidence and personal power and can help the wearer feel grounded. It can also help to release negative energy and ease feelings of anxiety.

Can you wear amethyst and citrine together?

Absolutely. Amethyst and citrine are an excellent combination as they complement each other beautifully. While citrine is vibrant and bursting with energy, amethyst is calming and can help soothe frayed nerves. There is even a variety of quartz known as ametrine, which is a mixture of amethyst and citrine.