SiO₂
Citrine
Natural citrine is a paler yellow from iron; the deep gold in most shops was amethyst in a kiln.
- Formula
- SiO₂
- Mohs hardness
- 7
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Colour
- yellow
- Element
- fire
- Chakra (tradition)
- solar plexus
- Zodiac
- Scorpio, Sagittarius, Leo, Gemini
- Month
- November
- Where the earth keeps it
- Brazil, Madagascar
What it actually is
Citrine is SiO₂ before it is a story. The lattice is trigonal, Mohs 7, and the eye meets yellow.
The better pieces still come out of the ground in Brazil, Madagascar. Natural citrine is a paler yellow from iron; the deep gold in most shops was amethyst in a kiln.
What the old tradition whispers
The parlour tradition ties Citrine to fire and to the solar plexus centre. The old site stood it near: Scorpio, Sagittarius, Leo, Gemini. Old tables sit it beside November.
How not to turn it to ash
Quartz will take lukewarm water and a cloth. Long sun fades amethyst and rose quartz. Perfume is a worse neighbour than dust.