Stone Mania

Citrine is one of the most valuable forms of quartz.  It is transparent to translucent and comes in various shades of yellow.  Citrine has a vitreous lustre and its colour comes from the presence of iron impurities within the crystal.  The name citrine comes from the French 'citron' meaning lemon.  Many citrine gemstones are actually heated amethyst as natural citrine is rare and it can be rather expensive. 

During the first and second centuries A.D. both the Greeks and Romans used Citrine for intaglios.

In ancient times citrine was worn as protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.  There are few references in history to citrine, perhaps because of its rarity.

Citrine is valuable in the treatment of depression and it eliminates self-destructive tendencies and stimulates memory.  It is said to help with digestion and also with the removal of toxins from the body and it is a good gemstone generally for use in crystal healing.  Citrine symbolizes light-heartedness, joy and happiness.  It is a great protective talisman and supposedly calms and soothes.  It enhances creativity and motivates writers.

Citrine is found in Madagascar, Spain, Uruguay, Scotland, USA and Russia, though the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul is currently the world's main supplier.

Citrine is considered an alternative to topaz as the birthstone for November and is the anniversary gemstone for the 13th year of marriage.

It is graded 7 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness

The following links offer further reading on citrine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrine
http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/citrine.html
http://www.gemologyonline.com/citrine.html
http://www.gemstoneeducation.com/Citrine.htm