Citrine is the yellow variety of macrocrystalline Quartz that takes its name from “citron”, the French word for lemon. Citrine is a beautiful translucent gemstone and one of November’s birthstones.



Citrine was first used in jewelry in Greece during the Hellenistic period (end of the 4th to the end of the 1st century BC).

The first use of Citrine by the Romans was in intaglios (a gem carved in negative relief) and cabochons in the first centuries after the birth of Christ.

In antiquity, Citrine was believed to be the gemstone of happiness and used as a protective talisman against evil thoughts.

Among its many historic medicinal uses, Citrine was believed to aid digestion, remove toxins from the body (Citrine was once commonly used as a charm against snakebites and other venomous reptiles) provide protection against the plague and bad skin, and to be useful in the treatment of depression, constipation and diabetes.

Crystal healers believe Citroen promotes creativity helps personal clarity and will eliminate self-destructive tendencies.

Citrine occurs naturally in proximity to Amethyst and is a related Quartz mineral. Citrine gets its yellow color from the presence of iron.

Citrine ranges in color from pastel lemon yellow to golden yellow to mandarin and “madeira” red, after the color of the wine. Traditionally, the “madeira” shades were more coveted, but these days many people prefer Citrine’s brighter lemon tones.

Most of the Citrine mined today comes from Uruguay, Brazil and many African nations. Citrine can also be found in the Ural Mountains of Russia, in Dauphine, France, and in Madagascar.

Citrine can be easily confused with Topaz and has even been called “Topaz Quartz”.