10 Interesting Facts About Citrine
Warm, golden, and endlessly cheerful, citrine is a gemstone that radiates positivity. But beyond its sunny appearance lies a rich story, one that spans ancient civilisations, royal fashion, modern jewellery houses, and metaphysical beliefs.
Here are ten fascinating facts about citrine that showcase the history, culture, and charm of this glowing quartz variety.
Citrine Was Used in Jewellery as Early as Ancient Greece
Citrine has been adorning humans for thousands of years. Its use in jewellery dates back to at least 300–150 BCE, during the Hellenistic period in Ancient Greece. Back then, artisans carved the gem into cabochons and intaglios (when a design is engraved into a stone rather than carved from it), valuing it for its warm colour and pleasing clarity. These ancient pieces were often worn as protective talismans or decorative amulets.
It Was Once Believed to Be a Gift from the Sun
In ancient times, citrine wasn’t just admired for its beauty, it was revered for its energy. Many cultures believed that its golden glow held solar power, and some thought it was quite literally a gift from the sun. It was said to protect the wearer from negative thoughts, snake bites, and evil spirits.
Scottish Jewellery Featured Huge Citrine “Cairngorms”
In Victorian-era Scotland, citrine took on a distinctly local flavour. Large citrine stones, often smoky or amber in tone, were popularly known as "cairngorms", named after the Cairngorm Mountains. These were frequently set into brooches, kilt pins, and sgian-dubhs (small ceremonial knives) as part of Highland dress. Many of these antique pieces still survive today as heirlooms.
Citrine Reached Iconic Status in the Art Deco Era
While citrine has had many fans over the centuries, it truly had its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, during the height of the Art Deco period. Designers embraced large, bold gemstones, and citrine’s rich amber tones made it a perfect match for dramatic cocktail rings, pendants, and brooches. Some of the most striking vintage pieces from this era feature massive citrines set in geometric platinum or gold settings.
Citrine Is Thought to Attract Wealth and Success
Citrine has a long-standing reputation as the "merchant’s stone", believed to help attract prosperity. It’s still a common practice among crystal enthusiasts and shop owners to keep a piece of citrine in their wallet, till, or cash register to encourage financial flow. Whether or not you believe in its metaphysical properties, it’s hard to deny that citrine feels like a symbol of abundance.
Some Say It Never Needs Cleansing
Most crystals are said to absorb energy and require regular “cleansing” to clear away negativity. Citrine, however, is a unique exception in modern crystal lore. It’s often described as a self-cleansing stone, believed to repel and transform negative energy rather than store it. For that reason, many people see it as a kind of energetic “sunshine”, constantly purifying and uplifting.
The World’s Largest Faceted Citrine Weighs Over 20,000 Carats
The largest faceted citrine in the world is the “Malaga” citrine, a monumental gem weighing 20,200 carats (4.04 kilograms). It was cut from a 42 kg rough and now resides in the Programa Royal Collections museum in Spain. It’s not just massive, it’s impressively well-cut too.
Citrine Has Starred in High Jewellery from the World's Top Designers
From vintage pieces to modern runways, citrine has caught the eye of elite jewellery houses. It’s been featured in collections by Cartier, Bvlgari, and Tiffany & Co., often chosen for its bold colour and availability in large, clean stones. These qualities make it ideal for show-stopping designs, particularly in statement rings and pendants.
Some Citrines Are Named by Their Colour Tone
Citrine comes in a range of golden hues, and the gem trade has given names to some of the more distinctive tones. “Madeira” citrine refers to deep orange to reddish-brown shades, named after the fortified wine. “Lemon” citrine, on the other hand, describes pale yellow varieties with a crisp, zesty look. These labels aren’t scientific, but they’re widely used in jewellery marketing.
Natural Citrine Is Surprisingly Rare
While quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, natural citrine is relatively scarce. It typically forms in geodes or pegmatites, and is often found alongside amethyst. Interestingly, these two stones can even grow together in the same crystal, resulting in a bi-coloured gem called ametrine. Because of its rarity, most commercial citrine on the market today is heated.
Whether you love citrine for its rich history, positive energy, or glowing colour, this gemstone has more depth than meets the eye. From ancient talismans to Art Deco masterpieces, citrine has been a radiant companion for centuries, and is still shining bright today.