In this article: Discover the features and characteristics of Orange Calcite vs Citrine!
Orange Calcite and Citrine are two beautiful yellow crystals that look very similar. Even though they can be confused based on looks, these two gemstones are very different.
If you have one of these two crystals and can’t tell the differences between them, read on to discover what they are, their properties, and how to tell them apart.
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Orange Calcite vs Citrine: The main differences
The easiest way to know the main differences between these two crystals is to compare them. Below, you’ll find the physical properties and healing properties of both stones and find out what makes them different:
| Physical Properties | Orange Calcite | Citrine |
| Color | Yellow, Orange | Yellow, Orange |
| Location | Mexico, Canada, USA | Russia, Madagascar |
| Rarity | Common | Rare |
| Mineral Class | Carbonate | Silicate |
| MOH Hardness | 3 | 7 |
| Crystal System | Trigonal | Hexagonal |
| Formula | CaCO3 | SiO₂ |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Specific Gravity | 2.7 | 2.65 |
| Healing Properties | Orange Calcite | Citrine |
| Physical Properties | Strengthens the reproductive system | Stimulates digestion |
| Emotional Properties | Encourages joy and happiness | Imparts enthusiasm and optimism |
| Metaphysical Properties | Enhances your creative gifts | Promotes wealth and abundance |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer | Gemini, Leo, Libra |
| Birthstone | Not a birthstone | November |
| Chakra | Sacral, Solar Plexus | Sacral, Solar Plexus |
| Planet | Sun | Jupiter |
| Element | Fire | Air |
| Number | 5 | 6 |
What is Orange Calcite?
Orange Calcite is a mineral consisting of calcium carbonate. Calcite is the second most common mineral on earth after quartz and is the principal constituent of limestone and marble.
The distinctive honey-orange color of Orange Calcite is caused by light reflecting small particles of iron oxide within the stone.
Commonly found throughout the world, Orange Calcite comes in different shades of orange ranging from dark yellow to bright orange.
With a MOH hardness of only 3, Orange Calcite is really soft and has a tendency to fade with exposure to light. You should also avoid putting it in water for a long period of time.
This beautiful gemstone can be found in many different countries, including Mexico, Canada, and the USA. It often occurs in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.
Calcite also occurs in other colors such as white, black pink, or blue. In fact, there is a color of Calcite for each of the major chakras.
The color variations are caused by various impurities which, when hit with light, produce the color we see.
Orange Calcite healing properties
Orange Calcite is a sunny crystal that promotes happiness and joy. Strongly connected to the Sacral and Solar Plexus chakras, this crystal is perfect for those who feel down or need a boost of self-confidence.
By balancing your emotions, the beautiful orange crystal can help you remove fears and insecurities. Orange Calcite is a very positive crystal that is very useful for overcoming depression.
Carrying or wearing Orange Calcite can help you remove blockages that are stopping you from reaching your true potential. Orange Calcite is a stone that promotes motivation. Wear it when you need inspiration or energy to achieve your goals.
If you have a low sex drive, Orange Calcite will help you heal and boost your libido. This stone also has the ability to help you understand the reason for your blockages, giving you the confidence to enjoy your body’s natural pleasures.
As a stone for creativity, Orange Calcite inspires you to pursue creative pastimes and also enhances your creative gifts. More than that, it helps you solve problems more quickly by stimulating your imagination.
Physically, Orange Calcite is often used to restore physical, emotional, and mental balance. This beautiful crystal also strengthens the function of your spleen, liver, and kidneys.
It is particularly useful for treating problems related to the reproductive system. Finally, you can use Orange Calcite to eliminate toxins from the body.
What is Citrine?
Citrine is a silicon dioxide crystal and a type of quartz that belongs to the Silicates family. Citrine is the second most popular quartz gemstone in the mineral world. It is often used in jewelry, but also for home decor or crystal healing.
Its name comes from the French word citron, meaning ‘lemon’ because its color is similar to the citrus fruits. It is an uplifting crystal that is said to carry the power of the sun.
Found in many sizes and shapes, Citrine occurs in different shades of yellow ranging from pale yellow to dark orange.
With a MOH hardness of 7, Citrine is fairly hard. It has a tendency to fade with exposure to light. However, it is a crystal that is safe to put in water.
Natural Citrine can be found in the Ural Mountains of Russia and in Madagascar, even though it’s pretty rare. Most of the Citrine sold on the market is in fact heat-treated Amethyst.
Citrine healing properties
With its yellow hue, Citrine symbolizes the spiritual qualities of joy, happiness, abundance, and wealth. Citrine is a beautiful crystal that has a deep spiritual meaning. It heightens self-discipline and can realign your energies back into balance.
Also called the ‘Merchant’s Stone’, Citrine is good for attracting wealth and success. It is the perfect stone for manifesting abundance and prosperity.
If you need assistance in all your money ventures, Citrine is the perfect crystal for you. It is especially useful for commercial success.
It’s an excellent tool to have in your pocket or purse to increase the flow of money energy around you. Citrine also spreads positive, energetic light and imparts joy, delight, and enthusiasm.
It’s a great stone to have in a space where you want to remove negative energies. Citrine will transmute them into positive and joyful energies.
With its vibrant yellow color, Citrine also symbolizes the summer months and the warmth of the sun. The transparency of the stone is also said to bring comfort and energy and help you organize your thoughts.
Carrying the power of the sun, Citrine is a warm and comforting stone that opens and energies the solar plexus chakra. It can help strengthen a positive, vibrant flow of energy in and around one’s body.
On a physical level, Citrine is said to help with kidney, urinary tract, and digestive system problems. It can help stimulate digestion and help relieve constipation. It also detoxifies the blood and can balance the thyroid.
Citrine can also be beneficial to people who suffer from degenerative diseases and helps balance chemical imbalances in the body.
Orange Calcite vs Citrine: Which is better?
Even though they look pretty similar, crystal lovers know that Orange Calcite and Citrine are two very different crystals.
Because they both have the same color, they stimulate the same chakras (Sacral and Solar Plexus). Orange Calcite and Citrine are uplifting crystals that can be used to boost self-confidence, encourage happiness and joy.
Another important thing to know is that they are compatible so you can actually use them together.
For example, you could keep them both in your pocket or purse because they help release negative thoughts, fight depression and anxiety.
Citrine is also a fantastic stone for money, wealth, and prosperity.
Orange Calcite is very common and cheap, while natural Citrine is very rare and quite expensive.
If you find cheap Citrine online or in stores, it is most probably heat-treated Amethyst. Citrine is one of the most sought-after crystals, and it is a great piece to add to a collection.
The big difference between the two is the hardness, one is softer than the other which means you should not store them together.
Orange Calcite is relatively soft, which means it’s not the best to be worn as crystal jewelry or carried in your pockets. It can scratch, break or dent easily.
You cannot use Orange Calcite to make gem elixirs, but Citrine is supposedly fine (even though I don’t recommend drinking crystal water).
To be honest, it is impossible to tell which is better because everyone reacts differently to crystals and their vibrations. Some will prefer Orange Calcite, others will feel more connected to Citrine.
I can only recommend you go to a metaphysical shop, hold the crystals in your hands and see how you feel.
If you don’t have a shop near you, go online and browse different shops and crystals until you find the piece that attracts you the most.
How to tell the difference between Orange Calcite and Citrine?
Orange Calcite and Citrine look really similar by their color, which makes it difficult to figure out which is which. Here are some tips on how to tell the difference between the two:
Hardness
If you can’t tell Orange Calcite and Citrine apart, the easiest way to know which one you have is to perform a hardness test.
This means you are testing the resistance of a material by scratching it with the point of an object of known hardness.
It could be a knife blade (hardness 5 to 6.5), your fingernail (hardness 2 to 2.5), a steel file (hardness 5 to 6.5), or even a quartz crystal (hardness 7).
The test can be easily done from home. First, find a clean, scratch-free surface on your specimen.
Hold the specimen firmly in one hand and scratch it with the point of objects of known hardness mentioned above. If the crystal scratches, it is Orange Calcite. If it doesn’t, it is Citrine.
Shape and look
Honestly, if you have a genuine, naturally occurring Citrine and a specimen of Orange Calcite, you should have no problem identifying them. Natural Citrine occurs as clusters, points, and geodes, just like Clear Quartz.
However, if you have raw specimens of heat-treated Amethyst and Orange Citrine in front of you, the best way to tell the difference is to look at the colors and shapes.
Orange Calcite is usually bright orange and often has streaks of white in it. Citrine (heat-treated Amethyst), is often sold in raw points and has dark orange tops and white bottoms.
Bottom line
Orange Calcite and Citrine are two beautiful crystals you should definitely consider adding to your collection. Even though it can be difficult to tell them apart, they still have some main differences that make them both interesting.
Citrine is one of the most sought-after gemstones in the mineral world, while Orange Calcite is more common. They have similar properties and can definitely be used together.
If you have a specimen and don’t know what it is, the best way to know is to perform a hardness test. You can easily do it at home by carefully scratching your crystal with a knife blade.
Orange Calcite vs Citrine, which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!