| If you're still young enough to remember your | | | | citrine gemstone were said to offer |
| birthday, you probably also remember the | | | | protection from dangers when traveling, to |
| special birthstone assigned to it. But at | | | | ward off evil, and to keep sickness away on |
| your age, we bet you don't really know the | | | | land or on sea. |
| SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what | | | | |
| power the ancients felt would be bestowed | | | | Through history, citrine has been used |
| about you by wearing it. | | | | extensively in improving the function of the |
| | | | body's organs including the heart, liver, |
| November Birtthstone: Citrine Birthstone | | | | kidneys and digestive system. It is still |
| Properties: Increases creativity and feelings | | | | used by healing practitioners to remove |
| of joy Alternative Birthstone: Yellow Topaz | | | | toxins from the body and to treat muscular |
| | | | disorders, as well as help stimulate healing |
| Citrine is the birthstone for November and | | | | in general. Citrine is also said to help |
| the traditional anniversary gemstone for the | | | | provide relief from the effects of radiation, |
| 13th year of marriage. Its name comes from an | | | | and to facilitate absorption of antioxidants. |
| old French word for lemon -- "citrin". A | | | | |
| variety of quartz and the "sister stone" to | | | | Mental Health Citrine is believed to be |
| the purple variety known as Amethyst, citrine | | | | especially powerful for stimulating one's |
| comes in a wide range of colors. Some believe | | | | mental capacities, thereby enhancing |
| that some citrine may have actually begun as | | | | creativity and bolstering self-confidence. It |
| amethyst, but that nearby molten rock changed | | | | is said that wearing citrine will improve |
| it to the yellow form of quartz. | | | | memory, make you feel more optimistic, and |
| | | | give you more energy in everything you do. |
| Mined mainly in Brazil, but also found in | | | | The magnetic powers of citrine are believed |
| Bolivia, citrines come in vivid yellows and | | | | to relieve depression, fear, and give you the |
| oranges, and also the unusual and extremely | | | | confidence that you need to continue with |
| popular "madeira red." (Citrines that are | | | | success in your life. |
| pale yellow or yellowish-brown are often | | | | |
| mistaken for yellow or golden topaz.) Natural | | | | Giving citrine as a gift symbolizes wishes |
| citrine can also be found in the Ural | | | | for hope and strength. Bursting with |
| Mountains of Russia, in Dauphine, France, and | | | | sunshine-yellow brightness, it is the ideal |
| in Madagascar | | | | gemstone for helping anyone get through tough |
| | | | times! |
| Cure-All Citrine, like all forms of quartz, | | | | |
| was believed to have magical powers. People | | | | Buyer's Guide A tremendous amount of citrine |
| carried citrine as a protective talisman | | | | that is available on the market today is |
| against the plague, bad skin and evil | | | | heat-treated amethyst. Natural citrine is |
| thoughts. It was also used as a charm against | | | | much lighter than the heat-treated material |
| the bites of snakes and other venomous | | | | which is dark orange-brown to reddish-brown |
| reptiles. Yellow and orange colors of the | | | | in color. |