Citrine: Birthstone of November
Birthstones are magical pieces. Many of us feel a natural connection to them. November's original birthstone is Topaz. It wasn't until 1952 that Citrine was added to the list of November. Citrine is, by far, one of the most popular stones out there. There is something about its sunny disposition that will make you feel bright and hopeful. Its orange and yellow hues create positive vibes on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. Whether Citrine is your birthstone or not, it has much to offer on this journey we call life.
Citrine: Natural vs Heat-Treated
When discussing Citrine, there is a bit of controversy in terms of natural citrine versus heat treated Amethyst. The term "citrine" is really a reference to the color of the stone. Both Amethyst and Citrine are a variety of Quartz. There are differences in how they are formed. Natural Citrine is a Smoky variety of quartz with iron inclusions that gives it a pale yellow color. Natural Citrine is found in the Congo and Brazil. Due to its rarity, the cost is often high and hard to come by. Heat Treated Citrine is really Amethyst that has been baked in an industrial oven. The rise in temperature causes the purple to turn bright to burnt orange. One of the big differences to tell between the two, is that Natural Citrine will have a smoky effect, but it will also have a clarity to it. Heat Treated Citrine (Amethyst) will have bursts of color towards the tips and more of an opaqueness to the quartz aspect. There are hundreds of resources out there to help you distinguish between the two. That being said, they have qualities that are similar and qualities that are different.
Citrine’s Power of the Sun: Joy and Positive Energy
It's a good thing that Citrine is one of the November birthstones. As the weather gets colder and the sun begins to fade, many people turn towards melancholy. Being indoors, the cold, and often overcast sky can have a real effect on people. If you have ever been in a moment such as this and then for an instant, felt the warmth of the sun on your face...That is a moment in which hope and joy are around. Citrine is associated with the sun and its element is fire. Regardless of natural or heat treated, it brings forth a warm light that can fill you with positive energy. Citrine makes dismal moments seem a little less scary. It can help us to see a different perspective when we are going through tough times. Negative energies we feel during times of struggle can be transformed through citrine's fire, into something useful. This is not to say that it puts the rose colored veil over our eyes. There is a clarity in citrine that will assist us with seeing things how they truly are, but in a way so that we are not pulled down by the weight of it all. The light it brings helps us to filter out what we want, what we don't want or what isn't serving, and how we can turn this situation around.
Citrine Healing Properties: Self Confidence, Mental Clarity, Decision Making
The sunny energies of Citrine engage our own inner fires. The symbol of fire is linked to the energy that transforms, that inspires, that motivates us. Fire is creativity, imagination, and passion. When we call on this stone, Citrine can help build our confidence in terms of self esteem, learning, and decision making. There are some people who are naturally self confident...or at least make it seem like they are. For those of us that need help in this area, one of the brilliant aspects of Citrine is that it helps us to own our individuality and unique qualities. If we can imagine it, then we can be it. If we seek it out, we can find it. Citrine can help us to express ourselves in creative ways. When our soul is permitted to speak through self expression, we ascend and become confident in our truest self.
Using Citrine helps us to focus. This is especially useful if we are easily distracted. Whether there is a deadline, a meaningful conversation, learning, or even just being in the present moment, calling on citrine can help to still the mind and focus on what is important. This is especially useful for anyone who is learning or developing a new skill or taking a test. Many students make a habit of carrying a piece of citrine with them when the take an exam, to ensure both focus and success. When we are able to hone in on this benefit of mental clarity, we can also open our minds to possibility. As we work with Citrine, these aspects combined with confidence, increase our abilities to make decisions. That might not seem like much, but there are plenty of people out there who struggle with decision making for one reason or another. We make decisions every day and sometimes, when we are not at our best, we make decisions that are not right for ourselves. Citrine's vibrant energy helps us to seek out what is best for us and when presented with a decision, tap into our inner knowing and desires, leaving us with a clear decision being made.
Citrine’s Spiritual & Metaphysical Properties: Manifestation, Powerful Cleanser
Citrine is connected to the solar plexus chakra, the sacral chakra, and the root chakra. These chakras are part of the process of manifestation. To manifest something means to have an idea, concept, desire or something abstract and bring it into reality or into a tangible form. Citrine powers our imaginations to bring desires and creative ideas up to the surface, but also assists us with committing to the work necessary to bring them into fruition.
It is said that Citrine (particularly Natural Citrine) is one of the stones that does not need to be cleansed. It is powerful as a purifier of aura and energy. It can cleanse the chakras and negative energies from a body or space. This is due to the high frequency of the stone. It should be noted that there is a difference of opinion among those in the crystal community. If you happen to be working with heat treated Amethyst, then the stone will most likely need regular cleansing.
Citrine Folklore: Law of Attraction, Wealth, Protection
Money. Prosperity. Wealth. Abundance. All separate and yet tied together. Whether finances are good or not so good, Citrine is often a top seller due to its connection to wealth, abundance, and prosperity. They say that money can't buy happiness. Those of us who have known what it is to struggle financially, know that while it can't buy happiness, it can certainly lessen stress and bring comfort knowing that your bills are paid and that you have a little extra for fun things. Which is why people often seek out citrine for manifesting wealth and attracting abundance. According to Judy Hall, author of The Crystal Bible, It is said that Citrine should be placed in the "wealth corner" of your home or business. The wealth corner is the farthest left point from the front door. You may have also heard Citrine referred to as "The Merchant's Stone." It is said that Citrine brings in the money and keeps it coming. Many store owners will keep a piece of citrine in their cash registers. The idea here isn't that the stone magically brings in the money just by being there. There is a psychology to it. When we have citrine in our life, we send out the intention and the will. Citrine gives it the added boost with its energy. We are meant to work in tandem with it.
It was once believed that men who wore Citrine were made "more handsome" and it gave women a boost in fertility and happiness. Whether or not this holds true, is yet to be determined.
Citrine has also been known to be a stone of protection. When daggers and swords were the weapons of choice, many men were known to put a citrine on the hilt of the sword. In Scotland, it is said that Citrine was used to protect against snake venom.
How to Work with Citrine
One of the most enjoyable ways to work with Citrine is to wear it. Self-decoration is a time honored practice that includes intention and love. It is available in jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. When you wear this stone, you carry wisdom, truth, focus, and imagination, creativity, and self confidence with it. Simply touch the piece that you are wearing if you need a moment to pause and “tap in”.
Another way, perhaps more efficient, to work with Citrine is simply to carry it in your pocket. Citrine jewelry can be expensive (especially Natural Citrine). Purchasing a raw or tumbled Citrine can be more cost effective. The point is to have it accessible. Just having it near you is enough to feel and call on its energy. You can also keep it by your bedside. If you are feeling lost, stressed, confused, or manipulated, take some time to meditate with it. You can do this while holding it in your hand.
Another way you can work with Citrine (or any gemstone) is to research the stone. Not just the properties or the healing aspects, but the lore of the gem from different cultures throughout history and the world. Looking up geological and mineralogical information is useful as well. There is power in understanding. Once you have learned what others have discovered, you can observe how Citrine is showing up in your path, then compare and contrast. As you do this, you will begin to make your own connections, meanings, and discoveries about the properties of Citrine.
Citrine Care and Cleaning
Citrine registers at a Moh's Hardness of 7. It is pretty sturdy. Please be aware that it will fade if left in the sunlight for long periods of time. When cleaning, you can use warm and soapy water. Be sure to wipe it dry with a soft cloth. Steam cleaning is not recommended.