Citrine has been popular for thousands of years and used to be revered for its rarity, though that has changed with time. The ancient Romans used it for beautiful jewelry and intaglio work. It was also very popular for jewelry in the 19th century. During the Art Deco period between World Wars I and II, large citrines were set in many prized pieces, including the massive and elaborate Art Deco-inspired jewelry pieces made for big Hollywood stars such as Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford.
Nowadays, however, the stone is not as rare, and thus, the use of citrine has little to do with opulence and luxury anymore. In fact, for years, Citrine became so cheap and plentiful, no one took it seriously. Now, however, there is a full-scale renaissance for this gem. Its bargain price is no longer a handicap, but an asset, as it allows for use of very large stones in jewelry. As part of the trend, jewelry makers are using big, bold gems- many cut in a cubist manner, to give lots of splash for the money. Citrine has found favour with budget-minded women looking to expand their wardrobes with affordable pieces of jewelry. When it comes to providing earth-toned colours for women on a budget, citrine has no real competition.
Mystical Powers of Citrine
There are many positive attributes of the citrine stone when it comes to aiding the physical self. It is said that stone aids urinary, kidney, and digestive diseases. It has also been said that citrine purifies the system and may help counteract the toxic effects of many pharmaceutical medicines. Citrine is believed to be a tonic for the circulatory system, helping cleanse the blood, as it is processed within the kidneys and other organs. It is also believed to enhance the passage of electrical impulses within the nervous system and improve the functionality of the endocrine system. Citrine gives energy and invigoration to the physical body. It is useful to people who are sensitive to environmental and other outside influences. It is also highly beneficial for reversing degenerative diseases. Citrine stimulates digestion, the spleen, and the pancreas. It helps eye problems, increases blood circulation, and activates the thymus. It has a warming effect and fortifies the nerves. It also relieves constipation and supposedly aids in removing cellulite. Soaking a citrine in pure water renders an elixir, which is reported to release toxins from the body. As an elixir, citrine is also helpful for women and their menstrual problems, such as PMS and cramps. It is also beneficial to women as it aids in menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, by balancing the hormones and alleviating fatigue. As with other yellow gemstones, citrine is used to treat bladder diseases and imbalances in the thyroid gland.
Citrine is believed to be of value in healing the spiritual self as well, as it is a powerful cleanser and regenerator. It carries the virtues of self-healing, inspiration and self-improvement. Carrying the power of the sun is excellent for overcoming depression, fears and phobias. It aids those with depressed self-esteem. One’s sense of self becomes more radiant with a citrine and it helps to look forward to the future optimistically, going with the flow, instead of hanging on to the past. Mentally, it awakens the higher mind, expanding conscious awareness and improving the clarity of thought, promoting inner calm so that wisdom may emerge. It stimulates the intellect and mental activity and overcomes the difficulty one may have with verbalizing thoughts and feelings. The gemstone helps in digesting information and analyzing situations, steering them in the right direction, therefore helping us find solutions to our problems. Citrine also encourages the acceptance of constructive criticism and shows you how to act on it. It provides a type of personal mind control in that it helps you steady your emotions and keep them balanced and under control. It also assists you to be spontaneous without trampling on other people in the process. Holding a citrine assists you to remain calm in the most challenging of situations. Because of this, it is a useful stone for smoothing group or family discord. It helps you listen to others rather than talk across them.
Citrine draws off stress and negativity from your body and brings in quiet, refreshing peace. It helps you overcome the fear of responsibility and stops anger and destructive tendencies. It has also been said that the stone acts as an early warning system so that action can be taken to protect oneself. Citrine is warming, energizing, and highly creative, and imparts flexibility and openness to new experiences. It energizes every level of your life and is a powerful attractor of helpful friends and mentors. It has the power to impart joy to all who behold it and instill a positive attitude. Gloom and negativity do not exist around the citrine. Citrine supports generosity, yet at the same time, helps you hold onto your wealth. It is said that the stone will draw all the good things in life to you.
Physical Properties and Science of Citrine
Citrine is found in igneous (rocks produced under conditions involving intense heat) and metamorphic rocks, particularly in granite and gneiss. It is also found in classic sediments (matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid). Most good crystals are found as gauge minerals in mineral veins. Citrine is often found in association with amethyst, but it is much rarer than its purple cousin. Because it resists weathering, it is also found in alluvial sands and gravels. The largest supplier of natural citrine is the Rio Grande do Sol state in Southern Brazil. Citrine mines in the US are found in Colorado, North Carolina and California. The gemstone is also found all over the world, in Spain, Brazil, Africa, South Africa, France, Britain, Madagascar and the Soviet Union.
Citrine is defined as “a pale yellow quartz resembling topaz.” Amethyst and citrine are both varieties of quartz, one of the most common minerals in the Earth’s crust. The natural abundance and infinite variety of quartz have made it the most widely used of all gem minerals. In its pure form, quartz is colourless and transparent. However, the colours of citrine and amethyst are caused by chemical impurities. In the case of citrine, it is iron content that gives it its colour. Natural yellow citrine is usually pale yellow and is very rare. Most commercial citrine is made by heat-treating amethyst. In fact, heat-treated citrine is sometimes referred to as “burnt amethyst.” Citrine rates a 7 on the hardness scale. Because the stone is heat-sensitive, it should be protected from excessive exposure to heat or light.
Caring for your Citrine Jewelry
Your citrine could last forever if you take care of it in the right way. It must be shielded from any type of situation where it could be scratched or hit. That said, however, it is pretty good at standing up to your normal everyday wear and tear. It is very important for a citrine not to be left in the sun, or to be in situations, for example sunbathing, where it will be exposed to prolonged sunlight or heat. Because of its sensitivity to heat, the stone’s colour could change and fade into a lighter colour. You can use any commercial jewelry cleaner or plain soap and warm water (using a soft brush) to wash your citrine. Make sure you rinse and dry it thoroughly after cleaning it. You may also have the stone cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, however, steam cleaning is not recommended
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