Citrine Meaning: Metaphysical Beliefs, History and Uses

Citrine is the golden yellow to orange variety of quartz. In metaphysical belief, citrine is associated with abundance, optimism, warmth and light, and it is linked with the solar plexus chakra and known as the "merchant's stone." Its sunny color is the root of most of these traditions. Below is where the traditions come from, how people wear citrine and how to care for it, and you can see the full range in our citrine beads.

What Is Citrine?

Citrine is quartz, silicon dioxide, colored yellow to orange by small amounts of iron. It ranges from pale lemon through golden honey to the deep orange brown known as Madeira, and most of the citrine sold today is amethyst or smoky quartz that has been heated. It shares November with topaz as a birthstone; our post on November birthstones: citrine and topaz covers the mineral side and how to tell the 2 stones apart.

Color and the Sun Connection

Citrine's color drives its meaning. Its yellow and orange shades recall sunlight, and in metaphysical belief, citrine is a symbol of the sun, linked with warmth, daylight and a cheerful outlook. It is a bright stone to wear through the darker months of the year. Even the name follows the color: it is believed to come from the French citron, lemon.

History and Tradition

Yellow quartz has been worn and carved since antiquity, and for centuries citrine was confused with topaz, and yellow quartz was often sold under the topaz name, so the 2 stones share much of the same folklore. Citrine became a favorite in Victorian Scottish jewelry, set in kilt pins and shoulder brooches, and Queen Victoria's fondness for the stone made the fashion widespread. It came back in the Art Deco period, when large, boldly cut citrines were set in cocktail rings and statement brooches. In 1952 it was added to the American birthstone list for November.

The Merchant's Stone

In metaphysical belief, citrine is associated with prosperity and generosity, and it is often called the merchant's stone. The nickname comes from a custom among shopkeepers of keeping a piece of citrine in the cash drawer or by the register as a symbol of a thriving business.

Citrine in Chakra Tradition

In metaphysical belief, citrine is linked with the solar plexus chakra, Manipura, the 3rd of the 7 chakras, which sits above the navel and is associated with the color yellow, confidence and personal will. Citrine's golden yellow matches that color, and it is one of the stones most often placed with this chakra, along with tiger's eye and pyrite. In metaphysical belief, its deeper orange shades are also linked with the sacral chakra.

Our introduction to the 7 chakras explains the whole system, and our solar plexus chakra stones gather the yellow and golden beads associated with Manipura.

How People Wear and Use Citrine

Bracelets are the most common way to wear citrine, since a stretch bracelet of 6 mm or 8 mm beads keeps the color in view all day. Some people wear it on the left wrist and some on the right; there is no fixed rule.

Others keep a polished piece or a short strand on a desk as a reminder of a goal or a project they are working toward, or set a piece by the register of a small business in keeping with the merchant's stone custom. In a mala necklace, citrine is sometimes used for the guru bead or as marker beads between sections.

For design, citrine pairs well with clear quartz for a bright, simple strand, or with tiger's eye and pyrite for a bracelet of solar plexus stones. Gold-tone spacers bring out the warmth of the golden shades. As a November birthstone, citrine also makes a natural birthday bracelet, on its own or with clear topaz, November's other stone.

Caring for Citrine

Citrine is quartz, 7 on the Mohs scale, so it stands up to daily wear and is safe in water. Wash it in warm, soapy water and dry it with a soft cloth. There are 2 cautions: some citrine can fade with prolonged exposure to strong light, so do not leave it on a sunny windowsill, and sudden heat or steam cleaning can crack it. Store citrine apart from harder stones such as sapphire and topaz, which can scratch it, and take citrine jewelry off before using household cleaners, which can dull metal findings and wear on cord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is citrine associated with?

In metaphysical belief, citrine is associated with abundance, optimism, warmth and the sun, and with prosperity as the merchant's stone.

What chakra is citrine?

In metaphysical belief, citrine is linked with the solar plexus chakra, Manipura, and its deeper orange shades with the sacral chakra.

Why is citrine called the merchant's stone?

The name comes from a custom of keeping citrine in a shop or cash drawer as a symbol of a thriving business.

Can citrine go in water?

Yes. Citrine is quartz and is safe in water. Avoid hot water, steam and long hours in strong sunlight.

Is citrine a birthstone?

Yes. Citrine is a November birthstone, added to the American list in 1952, and it shares the month with topaz.

Shop Citrine Beads

Browse our citrine beads in rounds, faceted shapes, chips and rough nuggets, or find citrine alongside topaz in our November birthstone beads. For the geology and the topaz comparison, read November Birthstones: Citrine and Topaz, and for other stones, Gemstone Meanings: The Symbolism of Your Jewels.

These are traditional beliefs, not claims of physical effect. Crystals are not a substitute for medical care.