Natural Citrine
Heat Treated Citrine
“Heat-Treated” VS “Natural”
There have been many social media posts, articles, and conversations lately about Citrine – specifically, “heat-treated” vs “natural”. This topic seems to be gaining popularity and has the ability to cause serious division among crystal enthusiasts. For people who have been involved in the crystal world for a long time, this subject might seem an odd thing to cause tension – because this is a point of fact, not one of contention. There is one detail that some crystal people can’t seem to agree on – the energetic properties of heat-treated vs natural citrine.
What Does Heat-Treated Mean?
Crystals are naturally “heat treated” by the earth, and they can also be heat treated by humans. Why is this done? Heat treating crystals creates different colors (lighter or darker depending on the original stone), causes inclusions to change, and more. This is hardly a new process – it has been around for thousands of years! What you’ll find in most crystal shops is heat-treated amethyst, which becomes citrine. Why? Several reasons. Natural citrine is extremely rare and therefore very expensive. For most people, being able to afford a crystal is the first step towards learning about them and benefiting from their metaphysical properties. Heat treated citrine does hold the energetic properties of natural citrine, just slightly different. We’ll talk about that below. The look of heat treated citrine is generally a bold yellow or orange, with white or clear quartz at the bottom and often comes in a cluster with pointed tips.
What is “Natural” Citrine?
Exactly as it sounds, natural citrine is harvested from the earth without additional intervention like heat treating. Natural citrine used to be found all over the world, but as it has been so beloved for a millenia, it has become more difficult to find. If you have a piece of citrine and you are trying to figure out if it is heat treated or natural, it can be hard to know sometimes and we suggest bringing your specimen to a person knowledgeable in crystals, or do a google search for some relatively easy at-home tests. In general, natural citrine will be a color ranging from nearly transparent to pale yellow, to slightly greenish. Natural citrine is going to be much more expensive than heat treated citrine, so if the price seems too good to be true – it probably is!
Metaphysical Properties
The metaphysical properties of heat treated citrine vs natural citrine are pretty much the same. They are known as stones for good luck and prosperity. Citrine emits a joyful energy, protects against negativity and gives your self-esteem a boost. Energy workers have been using both types of citrine for years and years. Crystal Life’s energy workers agree – citrine is an excellent crystal to have in your energetic toolbox, whether it is heat treated or natural. The only difference we have noticed is that natural citrine has a slightly more smooth and soft energy, where heat treated citrine usually seems to be more robust.
Citrine at Crystal Life Technology
The owners of Crystal Life Technology include energy workers who have been studying crystals, and learning from the best, for a combined 20+ years. The relationships with our suppliers goes back even longer, since we use the same ones the previous owner used for 25+ years – we trust our suppliers and we always keep a keen eye on everything we sell. If you ever have questions, feel free to reach out to us! We are happy to share our knowledge or point you in the direction of someone else who can answer your questions.
Resources:
https://www.stonemania.co.uk/glossary/articles-g-h/why-are-gemstones-heated-1
https://geo.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Geology/Book%3A_Gemology/13%3A_Gemstone_Treatments_and_Enhancements/13.02%3A_Heat_Treatment
https://www.mindat.org/min-1054.html
https://www.crystal-life.com/citrine/
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Disclaimer: Crystal meanings and spiritual healing lore are not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. They are presented as spiritual supports to healing and other life issues. See a doctor or licensed medical practitioner for all health issues.