In order to work with our crystals effectively, we need to understand their properties. With crystals that look similar or have similar uses, such as lemon quartz and citrine it can be difficult to determine which one to work with. The answer should always be; the one that you are drawn to the most. However, if you are looking to find the difference in physical appearance as well as metaphysical properties, you’ll find your answer here.
Continue reading if you want to know more about the (physical) qualities of these stones, as well as how you can use them in your spiritual practice.
Also read: Golden Healer Quartz vs Citrine: This Is The Difference
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Lemon Quartz vs Citrine – How To Tell The Difference?
In order to understand the difference between these two stones, we can look at the color, shape, pattern, clarity, and more. Below we’ll describe all these aspects in detail.
Chemical Composition
Lemon quartz is the yellow variety of quartz composed mainly of silica. On the other hand, Citrine is a yellow to brownish quartz variety made from heat-treating smoky quartz or amethyst crystals. The main chemical component in Citrine is also silica.
Also read: Can Citrine Go In Salt? (Dry Salt, Saltwater, Himalayan Salt)
Color
The main difference between these two is the tone and saturation of color. Lemon quartz displays a golden yellow color. The color of lemon quartz is not always lemon yellow. It ranges from yellow to orange and has hints of green. Natural Citrine is pale yellow, while the heat-treated ones can vary from medium yellow to a brownish red shade depending on the amount of heat treatment.
Pattern and Clarity
Both stones have a vitreous luster. Lemon quartz has a colorless streak. It is transparent to translucent in clarity and shows no cleavage. The crystal typically breaks at a conchoidal fracture. Although rarely, the crystal may display asterism (the star effect) and chatoyance (the cat’s eye effect). Citrine is also transparent to translucent in clarity, lacks cleavage, and breaks at a conchoidal fracture. The crystal may also display a glassy luster.
Hardness
Lemon quartz is slightly hard compared to Citrine. The crystal rates 7- 7.5 while citrine rates 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. Therefore, both of them are reasonably tough for use in jewelry as long as care and maintenance are observed.
Care
Lemon quartz and Citrine can be effectively cleaned using mechanical methods like ultrasonic cleaners. Heat and direct sunlight will alter the color of the stones. Due to prolonged sunlight, Citrine is the fastest to lose color among all quartz minerals. The rocks can be recharged by burying them in the soil, leaving them in the moonlight, or leaving them in the presence of charging crystals like selenite.
Also read: Can Citrine Be In The Sun? (Full Guide)
Location
Lemon quartz is popularly found in Brazil and Arizona. Natural Citrine comes from Madagascar and Russia, while the heat-treated variety is commonly found in Brazil.
Uses
Jewelry
Lemon quartz jewelry will amplify thoughts and help with focus. Its color is also associated with happiness, clarity, and communication. Wearing these jewelry pieces strengthens and balances these aspects.
Citrine jewelry helps dispel negative thoughts and increase self-confidence, success, and prosperity in its wearer. Wearing Citrine also invites good luck and wealth.
Meditation
When used in meditation, lemon quartz opens memory, filters distractions, and brings concentration. It can also be used to decrease negativity and anxiety. Citrine awakens spiritual abilities and connections during meditation. Its recommended that you place the crystal on the crown chakra during these practices.
Also read: The Complete Guide To Wearing Citrine
Properties
Yellow quartz brings joy and a burst of creativity. The yellow rays of these stones are uplifting and connect to the solar plexus chakra to cleanse, activate and increase personal power, confidence, and self-worth. The crystal is also associated with prosperity and abundance.
The stone is believed to tackle skin infections, abdominal issues, and liver and stomach illnesses for physical healing. The stone is also thought to help detoxify the body and help with metabolism.
Citrine is also an excellent physical healer crystal. It is believed to improve blood circulation and digestion, strengthen the body’s immune system and boost endurance. The crystal is also associated with chakra alignment, mental clarity, optimism, and cheerfulness. Citrine is also effective in aura cleansing and manifestation.
Chakra Association
Both stones are associated with the solar plexus chakra. It is the chakra located at the diaphragm. It is represented as yellow and is associated with personal power, personality, choice, freedom, and identity. The solar plexus chakra also governs our ego, authenticity, motivation, and willpower. The chakra also regulates the digestive system.
Elementally, the chakra is a masculine element associated with fire. As the center of personal power, the chakra has much to do with our choices and purpose. These two stones can open and activate this chakra to achieve self-confidence and emotional balance.
Also read: What Chakra Is Citrine? (Full Guide)
Zodiac Association
Both stones resonate best with the Gemini zodiac sign. The yellow rocks will light its way, guide, and reignite the Gemini’s spark. The crystals will also absorb the negativities and low vibrational frequencies and transmute them into positivity and joy. The energy in a citrine will help Geminis with their indecisiveness, amplify their lively personality, and motivate them to pursue their goals.
Citrine is the modern birthstone for people under the Cancer zodiac banner. The energy of the Citrine invites creativity and responsibility for their lives. It also brings abundance and helps them manifest their goals and wishes. The crystal also helps Cancer attract and connect with people with positive intentions.
Also read: The Complete Guide To Citrine And The Zodiac Signs
Element Association
Lemon quartz is connected to the air element, while Citrine is connected to the fire element. The air element symbolizes creativity, intuition, and intelligence. It is an active masculine element associated with Libra, Gemini, and Aquarius zodiac signs and is governed by planet Jupiter. Crystals and stones of this element are used to improve focus, mental clarity, and imagination.
The fire element is associated with action, strength, and change. The element’s masculine properties are also associated with healing, protection, and purification. It is valued for its ability to consume, destroy illnesses, and drive back the darkness.
The fire element is associated with Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius zodiac signs. Mars and the Sun also govern it. Fire element crystals ignite passion and help change and break old patterns.
Ruling Planets
Jupiter rules both stones. The planet is associated with good fortune, growth, expansion, religion, and law. It is also the biggest and brightest planet in the solar system. Jupiter brings optimism, noticeable charisma, openness, and generosity as a ruling planet.
A strong Jupiter will guarantee success and prosperity in business, career progression, blessings, and immense wealth. A weak Jupiter in your birth chart will bring misfortune. Crystals ruled by Jupiter embody and influences people’s personalities with the fantastic qualities of the planet.
Numerical Vibration
Lemon quartz vibrates at 9. The number represents faith, patience, love, wisdom, and tranquility in numerology. The characteristics of this number are associated with harmony, spirituality, and insight. It is also the last cardinal number hence considered a perfect, complete, and divine number giving it a special rank.
On the positive side, the number brings compassion, success, and forgiveness. On the negative, it may signify arrogance and self –righteousness. Crystals of this vibration will help get rid of these negative attributes.
Citrine vibrates at the frequency of 6. The number is believed to define completion and perfection. It also carries Venus’s energies, hence instilling the planet’s qualities to people who resonate with the number. Number 3s are dependable, romantic, and charming. They are also loved for their nurturing and caring personalities.
These people overlook their own needs to help others, hence being drawn to career paths that require giving service to others. They also seek harmony and are generous with their time, possessions, and knowledge. In numerology, the number comes with huge obligations towards family, the home, and children. It also signifies stability and domestic happiness. Crystals of this vibration bring harmony and instill the qualities of Venus to the user.
Also read: Citrine vs Topaz: This is the Difference
Best Combinations
Lemon quartz can be paired with a green jade to attract financial success and abundance. The pair allows the free flow of feelings and positive thoughts, which gets a person in a state of receiving. Manifestation works with the law of attraction, which requires openness of heart, giving, and welcoming.
Lemon quartz also works well with iron pyrite for the solar plexus chakra. The two have potent power to open and activate this chakra, resulting in personal strength and self-confidence. These two will boost your drive and determination during tough times and enhance your capability to face challenges.
On the other hand, Citrine pairs beautifully with clear quartz when attracting wealth and abundance. Citrine brings positivity and optimism, which is critical in manifesting. Clear quartz, on the other hand, amplifies the energies of the Citrine. The pair can also be used in healing, as clear quartz is a master healer that only requires to be programmed with an intention. Red garnet combined with Citrine will help you with your sex life. The pair will increase self-confidence, passion, and desire for intimacy.
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