Citrine

Citrine meaning and lore

What crystal traditions say about Citrine: its look, history and spiritual associations.

Citrine, a vibrant and lively variety of quartz, is renowned for its cheerful yellow-to-orange color, reminiscent of the radiant warmth of the sun. With its optimistic energy and vibrancy, Citrine is a stone that exudes positivity and joy, making it a favored addition in various settings, whether at home or in the workplace.

One distinguishing physical characteristic of Citrine is its transparent quality, ranging from pale yellow to deep amber, often resembling topaz. It carries a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, a characteristic shared with all quartz, and showcases a vitreous luster. Two types of Citrine are widely available in the market.

Citrine's origins trace back to the ancient times. The stone was used as a decorative gem during the Hellenistic Age in Greece around 300 B.C. The name Citrine was derived from 'citron,' a French word meaning 'lemon', denoting the lemon-like color of the crystal. It is thought to help dissipate negative energy and encourage a positive outlook, which can be helpful when dealing with feeling disappointed.

Culturally, Citrine has been celebrated as a stone of abundance and prosperity, attracting wealth and success. It has also been called 'The Merchant’s Stone', used extensively in cash boxes of merchants in the Middle Ages because it was believed to bring prosperity. In more recent times, its been known as the "Stone of Manifestation," believed to stimulate creativity, feeling inspired, fullofpep, and personal will.

When it comes to handling and care, Citrine, like other quartz crystals, is quite durable. However, prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight can fade its color. Clearing or cleansing Citrine may not be needed as frequently as other crystals due to its ability to self-cleanse, but it's still recommended to clear it periodically, especially after intense usage or exposure to dense energy.

From a holistic perspective, Citrine is believed to hold a solar quality, providing warmth, motivation, creativity, and self-expression. It is associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra, enhancing personal power, optimism, and self-discipline. Its properties make it ideal for professional success, lending determination and focus.

The second type of Citrine is natural Citrine. This Citrine has not been enhanced in any way; in fact, it is the same color as it was coming out of the mine. Natural Citrine, which is a pale, golden color, is not as abundant as its "enhanced" counterpart.

Please Note: Although Citrine may not need clearing/cleansing as often as most crystals, we suggest clearing your Citrine as often as is needed, based on (1) the amount of use it gets (how hard is your crystal working for you?) and (2) the amount of energy that your crystal has been exposed to over a period of time. When clearing your crystals, always make sure that your intent is clearly stated, so the crystal knows that it is being given some time off and needs to recharge itself.

How to cleanse Citrine

Methods the Cure Crystals guide lists for Citrine. Soft or water-sensitive stones need gentler methods, so check before soaking.

• Sage About 30 to 60 seconds per stone