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Although citrine is generally considered to be widely abundant, it
is actually quite rare in nature. Most natural citrine is of a very
pale yellow or smoky color. To achieve the vibrant golden yellow we
think of as citrine, other forms of quartz are heat treated. Most
citrine begins life as amethyst that is subjected to artificial
heating, although many of the lighter colored stones began life as
smoky quartz. Most experts believe that even natural citrine was
created in the same way, with amethyst or smoky quartz being subjected
to the heat from nearby lava.
Most citrine on the market is mined in the Brazilian state of Rio
Grande do Sul Brazil. Two mines provide a substantial percentage of
citrine; the Serra mine which is produces 300 kilos a month and the
Iraâ mine which produces an additional 100 kilos a month. Small
quantities are mined in the Malagasy Republic, Colorado, Spain and
Russia.
| Composition | SiO2 with minor Fe3+ | Class | Tectosilicate |
| Specific gravity | 2.65 | Refractive Index | 1.54 to 1.55 |
| Birefringence | weak (.009) | Pleochroism | weak |
| Cleavage | none | Fracture | conchoidal |
| Luster | vitreous | Transparency | transparent to translucent |
| Streak | white | Fluorescence | None |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal | Twinning | Dauphine and Brazil twinning |
| Hardness | 7 | Dispersion | .013 |
| Color | yellow to reddish-orange |
| Crystal habit | Crystals form in macroscopic, horizontally striated hexagonal prisms terminated by a combination of positive and negative rhombohedrons forming six sided pyramids. It often occurs as drusy masses showing only the rhobohedral terminations but can also be massive. |
| Other | Although citrine is generally considered to be widely abundant, it is actually quite rare in nature. Most natural citrine is of a very pale yellow or smoky color. To achieve the vibrant golden yellow we think of as citrine, other forms of quartz are heat treated. Most citrine begins life as amethyst that is subjected to artificial heating, although many of the lighter colored stones began life as smoky quartz. Most experts believe that even natural citrine was created in the same way, with amethyst or smoky quartz being subjected to the heat from nearby lava. |
Citrine has been used as gemstones and other ornamental objects
for thousands of years. In early times it was often confused with
topaz due to the similar color. The two are easily distinguishable
today by the vastly different physical properties such as the
density, specific gravity or refractive index. The name itself
comes from the old French word citron which means yellow. Although
it was largely ignored in recent history, it has been gaining
popularity in recent decades as popular fashion styles have turned
towards more 'earthy' tones.
Citrine is said to help stimulate healing in general and has been
used extensively in treating a number of disorders including those of
the heart, liver, kidneys and digestive system. Citrine is said to
help provide relief from the effects of radiation, facilitate
absorption of antioxidants, remove toxins from the body and to treat
muscular disorders. It is said to be useful in stimulating mental
capacities, enhancing creativity and intuition and build
self-confidence. It increases emotional control while making one more
alert. Citrine is also said to be very helpful in assisting one to
acquire and maintain wealth. In ancient times, citrine was carried
as a protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.