Citrine

What is citrine?

Citrine is the yellow to golden-orange variety of quartz, and in Singapore it is best known as the feng shui crystal for wealth. Its warm colour comes from traces of iron within the quartz, and its name from the French citron, lemon, a nod to its palest shades.

Natural citrine is relatively rare. It tends to be a soft, even yellow, sometimes with a faint smoky tint. Much of the citrine sold today began as amethyst that was heated, which turns the purple to a deeper orange or honey tone. This is a long-established, stable treatment rather than a fake: the stone is still genuine quartz and wears in exactly the same way. It is simply worth knowing, so you can choose with open eyes. Most citrine comes from Brazil, with smaller amounts from Bolivia and Madagascar.

Citrine meaning

In crystal tradition, citrine is called the “success stone” and the “merchant’s stone”. It is traditionally associated with abundance, generosity, pleasure and manifestation: the optimism that makes a new venture or a fresh start feel possible, and the confidence to act on a good idea. Its sunny colour links it with the solar plexus chakra, the centre of will and self-esteem in crystal practice.

Crystal lore also holds that citrine does not hold on to negative energy, which is why many people say it needs less cleansing than other stones. In Chinese it is 黄水晶 (huáng shuǐ jīng), “yellow crystal”, and gold and yellow have long been colours of prosperity. Citrine is also a birthstone for November, shared with topaz. Like every crystal, it is best seen as a reminder of an intention rather than a promise: the good fortune it stands for still grows from your own work and choices.

How to wear citrine

Wear citrine on your left hand. In crystal practice the left side is the receiving side, so a citrine bracelet on the left wrist is said to help you draw in the abundance it symbolises. Worn every day, a strand becomes a small, steady reminder of your goals, whether you are starting a new job, launching a business or working through a busy season.

Citrine combines well with the other wealth stones. With pyrite it is a traditional pairing for business; with green aventurine for opportunity; and with clear quartz, which crystal lore says amplifies the stones around it. Warm citrine beside soft pink quartz is another lovely mix, joining abundance and love in one strand. Not sure which wrist suits which stone? Our guide to which wrist to wear a crystal bracelet on explains the tradition.

Citrine in feng shui

Citrine is one of the most popular feng shui crystals for wealth, and its best-known placement comes straight from shopkeepers’ tradition: place a piece of citrine in the cash drawer or till, where it is said to watch over the day’s takings. At home or in the office, a citrine cluster or point is often set in the south-east corner, the area feng shui associates with wealth and abundance, or on the desk where you plan and make decisions.

Choose a piece whose colour you love, keep it clean and free of clutter, and treat it as a symbol of the care you give to your finances. Our 2026 zodiac guide also suggests citrine for those born in the Year of the Rooster. For more placements, see our guide to feng shui crystals for wealth.

Caring for citrine

At 7 on the Mohs scale, citrine is hard enough for everyday wear. It can still chip if knocked against a hard surface, so store it apart from other jewellery.

• Limit strong sun. Long hours of direct sunlight or heat can slowly pale some citrine, so keep desk and cash-drawer pieces away from sunny windows.
• Clean gently. Wipe with a soft, damp cloth and dry it well; keep perfume and lotion off the beads.
• Mind the elastic. In Singapore’s humidity, take bracelets off before swimming or showering, and restring them when the elastic starts to slacken.

Although crystal lore says citrine rarely needs cleansing, many people still like to refresh it now and then with moonlight or a short rest on a clear quartz cluster. Our guide to cleansing crystals covers the gentle methods.