Citrine is a high-level precious stone of creativity, joy, and fulfillment. The crystal offers many benefits for the mind, body, and soul.
There’s a reason citrine is known as the sunshine stone. It clears the mind of negative thoughts and brings inherent happiness to the lives of those you utilize it.
The most unique part of this yellow stone is that it does not absorb negative energy. It transmutes it into the ground, where the negative energy dissipates.
The process of transmutation of this crystal makes it a good stone for anyone. It is a safe crystal that sets a positive environment.
Pure positive energy benefits spiritual, physical, and mental bodies. But there’s more to these yellow stones than a simple burst of joy.
What is Citrine?
Citrine is a type of yellowish quartz. It is a naturally occurring crystal in Russia, Brazil, Madagascar, and other countries.
Most of these crystals are yellow in color. However, the stone is also found in an almost white color, orange, and deep brown.
The beautiful smoky colors come from the amount of aluminum, lithium, and iron in the crystal. The ratio of each affects the particular color.
How is Citrine Formed?
Citrine forms as oxygen enters silicon. In this state, it is white. The yellow color comes from iron that enters along with the oxygen.
The unnatural form of this crystal is quartz or a similar stone that is treated with heat. This creates the smoky golden color we see in the treated crystal.
Types of Citrine Crystals
- Natural – a type of quartz found in mines often kept in its raw form
- Heat-treated – treated quartz that is still a real crystal but made to look natural by humans
- Madeira – a dark crystal that comes from heating amethyst
- Smoky – a crystal variation that has smoky quartz in it
- Spirit – quartz that looks similar but with additional properties
Geological Properties of Citrine
| Formula | SiO2 |
| Luster (the way light interacts with the surface) | Vitreous |
| Classification | Quartz |
| Formation | Hydrothermal, igneous, and sedimentary |
| Mohs Hardness | 7 |
| System | Trigonal |
| Specific Gravity (density divided by the density of water) | 2.65 |
| Color | Yellow |
| Refractive Index (path of light) | 1.544–1.553 |
| Birefringence (optical property) | 0.009 |
| 2V angle (angle between the optic axes) | ± 28° |
Spiritual Properties of Citrine
- Origin – Russia, Madagascar, France, Brazil
- Chakra – Solar plexus
- Number – 6
- Planet – Sun
- Element – Fire, Earth
- Zodiac – Leo, Aries, and Libra
- Bagua areas – Tai qi and Xun (health and prosperity)
Origins of Citrine
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greeks saw citrine as a beautiful decorative crystal. They wore the crystal in jewelry yet put little value on its spiritual purpose compared to other cultures.
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was quick to utilize citrine for its spiritual purposes during the time Greece used it as jewelry. Romans believed it protected against evil spirits. They used it to ward off negative energy and bring prosperity to anyone who wore it.
Victorian
Queen Victoria was fond of citrine in the 17th century. She adorned herself with it and made it a stone for royals that others yearned for.
Roaring 20s
Greta Garba was one Hollywood star who made use of citrine. Roles like Mata Hari ensured Greta shined in the crystal.
German
Hollywood wasn’t the only area making the most of citrine in the 1900s. Around the time Greta Garbo was flaunting the crystal on the red carpet, other countries were also taking interest.
Germany and South Africa were two countries that saw a rise in sales of the yellow crystal in the 20s and 30s. This may be the reason the Art Deco movement saw such a rise in jewelry made of the stone.
Healing Properties of Citrine Crystals
- Confidence – boosts confidence in a healthy way, making you feel more positive and self-sufficient
- Organs – heals organs in the solar plexus region
- Good Mood – improves attitudes all around a room in environments with these stones
- Focus – helps you be sharp and get work done in an efficient manner
Benefits of Citrine Crystals in Your Life
Physical
Citrine is a solar plexus crystal. Because of the chakra’s connection to the central organs, this yellow crystal helps heal the stomach, liver, and pancreas.
In addition, the crystal is a useful tool for those who lack energy and is a natural thyroid booster. They are one of the top crystals for boosting energy.
Mental
Citrine helps you keep a positive outlook all day. It is a natural mood booster and helps you feel you are able to tackle any task the day throws at you.
From breathing deep breaths to spreading good vibes, this crystal makes you feel better. The good feelings come from the mental and emotional energy the yellow stone grants.
Spiritual
Citrine is a spiritual stone that centers your joy. Happiness and daily joy are spiritual gifts that the crystal regulates.
It boosts spiritual feelings of confidence and strength. While boosting joy, it wards off negative energy that blocks your creative flow.
How to Use Citrine Crystals
Citrine is a useful tool that is easy to work with. Meditation is the most common way to use this crystal and it comes in handy for those who seem to drift off in a negative way during meditation.
This crystal keeps you alive and in the moment of meditation. That’s why it’s also a good tool for boosting confidence at work. Keep a crystal on your desk or in your pocket.
Citrine Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
Citrine is a gem for the Leo zodiac sign. Both are bright with booming personalities and are sun signs.
Leo is even a fire sign, which the crystal connects to. They are both warm, internally colorful, and joyful.
This crystal is a natural partner to Leo. But those who lack what Leo is born with benefit from the yellow stone too. Zodiac signs that benefit most from these crystal partnerships are Aries, Libra, and Leo.
How to Care for Citrine Crystals
Caring for citrine crystals does not require a gentle touch. It is possible to scratch these crystals, but it takes something rough or a tumble onto a material like concrete.
How to Clean Citrine Crystals
- Use warm water (not too hot or cold)
- Use natural or mild dish soap
- Let air dry
- Do not place it in a damp or closed-in area after cleansing.
What Does Citrine Mean?
Citrine means lemon. The French word for lemon is citron, which is where the crystal gets its name.
These stones and lemons share many similarities. The word that describes a vibrant yellow fruit full of energy is an apt name for the yellow gemstone.
Is Citrine Expensive?
Citrine is a semi-precious and affordable stone. It is valuable, though inexpensive, and available at most gem retailers.
Can Citrine Be in the Sun?
Citrine is able to handle minimal sun exposure. It does not do well in direct heat or long sun exposure.
Charging the yellow stone in the sunlight is not ideal. It is best to keep it out of sunlight to preserve its lifespan.
Can Citrine Go in Water?
Yes, it is safe to put citrine in water. Water is a good way to cleanse it and keep it healthy.
But you should never let the crystal soak overnight. Let the stone dry out in an open area after you bathe it.
Where to Put Citrine Crystals in Your Home
Your living room and office are good places to put citrine. The crystal helps wake your mind up and get creative juices flowing.
These stones thrive in areas that need more positive energy and joy. It is a lively crystal that brings life to any environment.
Are Citrine Crystals Good for Sleep?
Citrine is a good stone for those who struggle with nightmares. It wards off negative energy to help you sink into a restful sleep.
The yellow crystal is a sunny and joyful stone, so it does not help you relax in the way amethyst does. But it is a beneficial stone for those who feel alone or dark at night.
If you feel too awake but not afraid at night, move the crystal away from the bed. That way, you don’t absorb too much of its positive daytime energy.
How to Charge Citrine
To charge citrine, shake it off on a daily basis. Charging this yellow stone is important because it disperses a lot of energy.
Do not let the crystal absorb too much heat, including sunlight. A warm light candle near this crystal is a good way to charge it each week or as needed.
Bad Effects of Citrine Crystals
Negative side effects of citrine are rare. Because this yellow crystal doesn’t absorb energy, it is one of the least likely to cause harmful side effects. But in occasional cases, you may experience the following:
- Dizziness
- Tingling
- Mood Swings
- Nausea
- Fatigue
What Chakra Does Citrine Help?
Citrine helps with the solar plexus chakra. This is easy to remember because the solar plexus chakra is also yellow.
The solar plexus chakra heals and controls the liver, stomach, intestines, and pancreas. It connects to your strength, personality, and personal power.
What Other Crystals Work Well with Citrine Crystals?
Citrine works well with like stones as well as complementary crystals. Examples of like stones would be tiger’s eye, carnelian, and topaz. Similar stone pairings enhance the powers of these crystals.
Examples of complementary stones are tourmaline, amethyst, and hematite. These stones either ground or bring peace.
This crystal is a bright and joyful stone with a lot of energy. The benefit of adding something to ground you or relax you helps you get the best of both worlds.
Other stones balance these yellow crystals. Balancing stones ensures you get joy from the crystal without compromising with illogical thought processes or unintended wakefulness.