Why does citrine stone change color?

Yellow quartz, citrine gemstone seemed in ancient times like a bunch of sun rays. Citrine is quartz. And quartz is silica: it consists of water and silicon. In citrines, the latter is partially replaced by iron, hence its beautiful yellow color. Citrines come in all shades of yellow, from pale to rich, close to orange. They may turn brown or have a greenish tint. The name of the stone was given in Latin, where citrus means yellow. But they gave it late – only in the 18th century. Although the stone has been known since ancient times. Roman senators also wore it in their rings – they believed that citrines developed eloquence. Politicians even then were distinguished by their oratorical abilities, the ability not so much to shout down as to convince an opponent or audience. Citrines were also inserted into the crowns of medieval rulers, because it was believed that the stone awakens wisdom, and also – which was important for those troubled and dark times – helps to recognize poisons and serves as protection against the evil eye. Later, citrines, which cut well due to their high hardness (7 on the Mohs scale), were set into signets, which were used to seal trade agreements. Entrepreneurship has always needed the patronage of higher powers. And in times of unstable logistics “for luck”, built on shipping and caravans, especially. However, all this was not the history of citrine, but the history of. golden topaz – as citrine was called until 1747. The stones have been confused for centuries because of their similar color, although other than that they have nothing in common. But citrine has a lot in common with amethysts. In addition to the fact that they, both being quartz, are “blood relatives,” amethysts are often used to obtain citrines, which are considered the most expensive in their “family.” Citrines are a wonderful jewelry stone that has all the necessary characteristics: from color and hardness to transparency, but they are not often found in nature. There are citrine deposits in Brazil, the Pamirs, in the Urals, Kazakhstan, as well as in Spain, France and the USA. Crystals lie deep in the rock, “ripening” under the influence of high temperatures and pressure, but extracting them is not difficult. However, there are not so many of them to cover all the needs of jewelers. Therefore, citrines are additionally obtained from refined amethysts and smoky quartz. The former are heated to colossal temperatures (400-500 degrees), the latter are irradiated. The result is natural crystals of beautiful color. Such “new” citrines are brighter than authentic ones, so they often look even more attractive (although they are worse in terms of investment). Due to the rarity of authentic stones, most of the citrines on the market today are just such, newly minted ones, with an amethyst or smoky past. The largest currently known citrine crystals are 2258 carats (!) from the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington (usually crystals do not exceed 25 carats). And from the cut samples – a 25-centimeter stone called “Malaga” (presumably in a private collection). Citrines have been learned to be synthesized. In our country, experimental developments in specialized institutes in Aleksandrov and Novosibirsk were carried out already in the 1950s. But the synthesis was not widely used. Citrines are not the most expensive stones, although they are also counterfeited, replacing them with glass or plastic. The main difference between a real stone is that it will have inclusions visible to the eye. Also, citrines often have the effect of pleochroism: they change shade at different angles of view, and more rare piezoelectric properties: electricity is generated when rubbed. Even rarer samples have blue veins inside (tiny cracks filled with gases), which resemble streams of rain. The most unusual, spectacular and expensive variety of citrine is also valued for its inclusions. These are the so-called ametrines: A hybrid of citrine and amethyst, a golden-purple quartz that alternates between these differently colored areas. Ametrines are mined in Latin America: Brazil and Uruguay. Also especially appreciated are Brazilian Madeira citrines, so named for the characteristic red-brown hue similar to this fortified wine. The fate of citrines in astrology and lithotherapy was interesting. Due to its color, the stone is associated with fire signs: for example, it suits Leo. But with Scorpios, the data differs: some astrologers warmly recommend it (after all, citrine is the stone of November, the month of this sign), others, on the contrary, believe that they are in no way compatible. Be that as it may, everyone agrees on one thing: citrines are definitely good for Gemini, to whom they give vitality. Hindus have long believed that citrines affect the umbilical chakra and solar plexus, which are responsible for the functioning of the digestive system and kidneys. This is where the idea, rooted in lithotherapy, comes from that citrines should be worn by people with such problems. Medieval healers recommended citrines for bad dreams, and this is still practiced today. Citrines are believed to stimulate brain activity and help focus. And in this capacity they unexpectedly appear. in Dostoevsky’s novel: the hero of The Brothers Karamazov, the meticulous forensic investigator Nikolai Parfenovich, paired with an amethyst one, wears a spectacular ring with citrine. And from secular news: Maria Sharapova plays tennis in earrings with citrines (from Tiffany&Co). And in 2015, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie donated a magnificent necklace with citrines to the Smithsonian Institution. The pear-shaped central stone is 177 carats! A total of 64 citrines, set in yellow gold, were used in the decoration. Jolie is a well-known philanthropist, and this jewelry became part of a collection she created in collaboration with American jeweler Robert Prokop with the aim of selling and raising funds for schools in hot spots.

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Weekly digest about jewelry art. The positively yellow citrine stone reminds many of juicy citrus fruits, because they are so similar. It is likely that these were the thoughts that arose among scientists who lived during the Enlightenment in the 18th century. Thanks to this, this mineral with a lemon tint received a citrus name and took pride of place among the list of gems belonging to the quartz family. Before this period, clear yellowish citrines were considered pale topaz. And sometimes even diamonds, clouded due to the admixture of a high concentration of sulfur. In reality, the stone actually contains an additive in the form of iron ions. Citrine in a brownish-yellow color, found in the vicinity of the city of Cordoba, is still considered Spanish topaz.

Natural colors of citrine

One of the most common colors of citrine is lemon with different saturations. In addition, the mineral may have other shades of honey, and some finds can be compared to amber. Many years ago, stones of excellent wine-yellow color were found in the Urals, but today these reserves have been exhausted. To decorate jewelry made to exclusive order, a very rare golden-colored mineral is used, which is called golden topaz. Crystals are mined in Brazil in the vicinity of the island of Madagascar. And it is extremely rare to find it in Scotland. The stones fit perfectly with a frame made of pure gold, merge with it and seem to grow out of it. Green-colored citrines can be found in nature and were previously mistaken for emeralds. Even stones that are not completely transparent are sent for jewelry processing, provided that the sample does not have internal fractures.

Features of pseudo citrine

In natural conditions, yellow citrine is not so easy to find. More often you come across its analogues from the quartz family, but in different shades. For example blue and purple. These are amethysts and quartz. Minerals are subjected to heat treatment, since when strongly heated to the maximum permissible temperature, the material becomes lemon-colored. This is how quartz and amethyst are converted to citrine. Quartz substitutes are heated to an average of +500C in closed furnaces. You only need to wait a few hours for the yellow color to appear. The crystal structure of minerals changes, and the stable color will remain for a long time. However, if you look closely, you can see shades of reddish or reddish. Amethysts found in Brazil can change color several times when exposed to high temperatures, and to achieve a yellow tint, you need to choose the optimal temperature regime. If the heating is more than +500C, then Brazilian citrines will turn orange and even red. It is this material that is often used to make almost all citrine jewelry offered for sale as products with semi-precious stones. Among jewelers, such stones are called the sons of amethyst. In general, in order to distinguish a natural stone from an imitation stone, you should pay attention to the presence of a slight color change inherent in the original. And also for a noticeable change in shade, for which it is enough to examine the crystal from different angles. The bottom line is that the processed natural mineral, after cutting, acquires the property of unequal polarization of light, which is not typical for camouflaged fakes.

“Star” stone citrine

Angelina Jolie donated a citrine necklace to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Gem Collection. The piece is from the Style of Jolie jewelry collection, a collaboration between the actress and American high jewelry designer Robert Prokop. The 18-karat yellow gold necklace features 64 cushion-shaped citrines centered on a 177,11-carat pear-shaped drop. This piece of jewelry is called the Jolie Citrine Necklace. Kate Middleton is also a fan of this stone. She has been spotted wearing citrine earrings several times.

Magical properties of citrine

According to alchemists, it was the magical properties of this mineral that could be used as the basis for the transformation of the Philosopher’s Stone. Esotericists of various schools and areas unanimously say that this stone contains a condensed particle of the wisdom of such spiritual teachers as: Tibetan monks who seek the path to knowledge of Universal wisdom through their own essence wear simple yellow clothes. This is a symbol of wisdom, as well as the true desire and desire to achieve its perfection. In India, yellow is considered a mourning color. However, Hindus retain a bright memory of a person who left the world, since only a shell perished, and the soul sets off to meet new incarnations and knowledge. This is why citrine, with its golden yellow color, is considered the most coveted crystal used in the creation of jewelry for Buddhist shrines. These items are used in rituals and amulets that have great spiritual power. Those who call themselves followers of the enlightened Shakyamuni believe that citrine has a bridge that can connect two worlds – the material and the spiritual.

Combination of citrine and zodiac signs

According to lithoastrologers, citrine depends on the planetary influence of Venus and such signs as Taurus and Libra, and Taurus should wear the jewelry exclusively on the neck, and Libra on the waist, for example, as a belt buckle. If we consider the instructions of the Zodiac, then it is permissible to wear the stone inserted into a ring, and precisely on the index finger. The stones with which this crystal can be combined are zircon and a silver frame. Natural stone goes well with the aura of those born under the sign of Virgo. But Scorpios should refrain from such jewelry. In the eastern horoscope, there are no such restrictions at all, but you can independently try to figure out who citrine might be suitable for, for which you should use one of the ancient methods. You need to put the stone under your pillow, and in the morning try to remember what you dreamed about at night. The plot itself doesn’t matter. However, it is important to remember the sensations, since calm and pleasant emotions should appear from the amulet. And it should also bring complete rest. If you feel anxious and tired in the morning, it means that the stone is completely unsuitable for you. Experts in the field of mineralogy believe that this method is ideal for finding compatibility with other stones. According to the Birthstone list, citrine stone is suitable for people born in November.

Amulet used by seers

According to the beliefs of ancient psychics, an amulet made from citrine is capable of supplying the brain of its owner with useful information about events that are coming in the near future. That is why seers used such jewelry to predict various situations in the same way as a magic crystal ball. Both rock crystal and citrine are able to capture even the slightest vibrations given by the astral world and strengthen them several times. It is worth noting that this is far from just esoteric speculation, since citrine, like any quartz crystal, has the real ability to receive and transform waves with a certain frequency. For some time, this stone was used to produce a high-quality piezoelectric element inserted into radio transmitters and similar devices in the electrical industry.

Healing properties of citrine stone

The crystal loves a large amount of sunlight, since it is the energy of the Sun that fills it with strength and powerful energy. Famous doctors sometimes order a cutter to carry out special processing of the stone, which allows for more active refraction of rays and the accumulation of a large amount of healing power. These stones are quite expensive and are the most effective amulets. Rare citrine nuggets, studded with many crystals, with natural edges, have a power many times greater and are capable of releasing the magical energy of the sun. Lithotherapists often use this gift of nature to carry out a healing procedure, which is performed in the afternoon with clear weather, and at dawn the healing stone must be placed in the most illuminated place. At the moment of sunrise, citrine is filled with power, and its structure is adjusted to the perception of white and pure energy. Due to the fact that citrine stone is a solar stone, it is able to influence the third chakra, which is located in the solar plexus area, and the influence on the human body occurs through rational functions and the emanation of energy brought by the sun mineral. The healing properties will be distributed throughout the body, and the most powerful influence will be on those organs that are located near the solar plexus. According to lithotherapists, citrine and its energy are simply irreplaceable for women’s health, as it helps eliminate problems with childbirth, as well as cope with inflammatory processes in the reproductive system.

Japanese secrets of longevity

In the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the island country of Japan is actively developing. There, the features of the solar cult are vividly displayed even on the state emblem. These people call their homeland Nippon, or in other words, the place where the Sun rises. In these parts, medical procedures are often carried out using citrine stone, saturated with the energy of the sun. Even a healthy person can use the mineral to prevent various diseases. Most likely, this is why you can find many centenarians in Japan. In the field of Japanese Shintoism, the stone is recognized as a talisman that allows one to live long and prosper.

How to care for citrine

Citrine, like other stones from the quartz family, is considered very durable. But there are a number of other gemstones that can scratch citrine. For example, topaz, spinel, sapphire and diamond. Be careful not to wear or store other gemstones next to each other, especially when you are doing sports or household chores. Clean your citrine using mild soap and warm water. You can dry the gemstones using a soft cloth or brush. Be sure to rinse them well to remove any soap residue. Keep your citrine jewelry clean by using a special jewelry cleaning soap. Everyday wear can cause residues and oils to build up on the stone. A toothbrush will bring back the shine to the stone. Ultrasonic cleaning is generally considered safe for this gemstone. However, steam cleaning should be avoided due to the sensitivity of the stone to heat. When storing citrine stones, wrap them in a soft cloth and place them in a padded box.