Gemstones - Background and Lore - Citrine

Citrine is one of the November birthstones. Topaz is the other. Citrine is a quartz variety. It gets it's name from the Latin word citrus, meaning "citron" (a fruit closely related to the lemon). Citrine comes in a wide range of sizes. Most citrine is found in traditional rounds and fancy shapes, but it is also available in more contemporary cuts and carvings. Before the development of modern gemology, citrine was often confused for topaz. Citrine is found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Spain. It is a 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and has good toughness. High heat can cause color loss. Sudden or extreme temperature change can cause fracturing. Citrine is soluble in hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride. It is slightly soluble in alkalis. Citrine is routinely heated to produce the desired color. Often it is produced by heating amethyst. This treatment is undetectable and assumed. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe. Steam cleaning is not recommended. The safest cleaning method is warm soapy water and a toothbrush. Alternatives include amber, carnelian, chrysoberyl, Malaya garnet, sapphire, smoky quartz, spessartite garnet, topaz, and tourmaline. Citrine is believed to help the heart, kidney, digestive tract, liver and muscles. It promotes creativity, helps personal clarity and eliminates self-destructive tendencies.

Gemstones - Background and Lore - Carnelian

Carnelian is a variety of chalcedony. It ranges from translucent to semitransparent yellowish orange, orangy red, or brownish orange. It is often made into beads or cameos.

It was believed that carnelian could transform bashful speakers into eloquent ones.

Carnelian is found in Brazil, India, and Uruguay. It is a 6.5-7 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness, and it's toughness is good.

When exposed to heat, the carnelian's color may change, but it is stable when exposed to light. It doesn't tolerate exposure to hydrofluoric acid.

Carnelian is commonly heated to enhance it's color. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are usually safe,, but warm soapy water is best.

Some alternatives to carnelian are amber, fire opal, jade, and sard chalcedony.

Carnelian - general healing stone. Restores the natural energy flows of your body. Carnelian is the most powerful POWER stone for focusing, realization, and self actualization. It reminds us to be in the moment.

Gemstones - Background and Lore - Amber

Amber is organic - it is a product of living organisms. Amber formed millions of years ago when sap from trees hardened and fossilized. Stone Age people found amber along the coast of the Baltic Sea. It was one of the earliest ornamental gems.

Amber on occasion has trapped once living things in it that provides a fascinating time capsule of sorts. The Baltic coast bordering Germany, Poland, and Russia is a source of Amber and is often called the "gold of the North."

Amber's color ranges from whites to yellows to oranges to reds to brown. Transparent stones are preferred in the US while cloudy pieces are preferred in Europe and North Africa. Heating the cloudy amber is oil clarifies it.

Some of the major sources of amber include Dominican Republic, Germany, Mexico, Poland, and Russia. Amber's hardness is rated as a 2-2.5 on the Moh's Scale, and it's toughness is considered poor. It burns at low temperatures, and it may darken with age. It is attacked by acids, caustics, alcohol, and gasoline.

Never steam clean or use an ultrasonic cleaner on amber. Warm soapy water is best, but do not use a hard brush as this may scratch the stone.

Amber promotes healing, protection from negativity, attractiveness and energy.