Citrine

History

This sunny stone takes its name from the Latin word citrina, meaning lemons, so named for its pale yellow colouring. Known as a sun stone it was believed that this gemstone was capable of holding sunlight within it. Relatively rare, this beautiful stone has long been associated with wealth, prosperity and protection. Legends were told that male holders of the stone became more handsome and intelligent while women would bear more children, become more beautiful and happier. To leverage these aspects Ancient Egyptians used citrine gemstones in talismans while the Ancient Greeks used it in decorative items, jewellery and carved into iconic images. Ancient Romans believed that the stone could protect against evil thoughts and other cultures of the time believed it would bring prosperity to individuals who held the stone. Jewellery featuring this striking gemstone has been, and remains to be, popular with some of the finest examples found during the 17th Century. In the 1930s citrine experienced somewhat of a boom when a group of experienced gem cutters moved from Germany to South Africa, where the stone was prevalent at the time and began shipping it in large quantities to Europe and the United States. It is also the birthstone for November.

Geography

Natural citrine is rare with the best examples coming from Brazil, Russia and Madagascar though there are other localities such as the United States, Spain, Scotland and France.

Geology

Citrine is a naturally occurring variation of quartz which gains its colouring from iron impurities. Because of its rarity a lot of citrine on the market is in fact heat treated amethyst or smoky quartz. Brazilian amethyst turns yellow at 878° while smoky quartz changes colour at a lower temperature (572 degrees to 752 degrees). These heat-treated stones have a slightly reddish tint.