As we welcome the month of November and start to feel the joy of upcoming celebrations, pumpkin spice everything, and we start to binge watch Christmas movies, we also celebrate November babies. For those born this month, they have the option of choosing between two gorgeous birthstones, Topaz and Citrine. The November birthstones are a complete package; they have alluring rich colors, incredible hardness, and history of legends. Topaz can be found in an array of colors, while citrine is praised for its warm yellow and orange hues. Both of these gems are believed to bring a sense of calm, warmth, and good fortune to their wearers. Let’s learn more about the November birthstones in detail in this article.
Topaz stands apart from the other gemstones because it comes in an array of rainbow colors – from blue to pink to green. This November gemstone is believed to have received its name from the Greek term “Topazos”, the ancient name of St. John’s Island in the red sea where golden stones were found. Others believe the name actually originated from the Sanskrit word “Tapas” which means fire.
Citrine, the gemstone prized for its golden gleam, is reminiscent of the summer months with hues ranging from Amalfi coast lemons to the bright midday sun. This gemstone tends to bring a spark of joy with its subtle earthy tones which bring a vintage vibe to its wearers. Citrine has been one of the most coveted gemstones since ancient times. The gemstone has been oftentimes confused with topaz, the other November birthstone.
Now that we have just started to understand the two November birthstones, let’s take a deep dive to know each of them even more.
1. Topaz
The rainbow birthstone of November is measured 8 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. With its high durability, this gemstone is perfect to be crafted into jewelry that can be used routinely.
Topaz is a stone that exhibits pleochroic characteristics; which means that when moving the crystal in different directions, it changes colors.
There are many beliefs attached to this gemstone from ancient times (Source: Wikipedia):
- Topaz was believed to cure lunacy, it was an English superstition.
- The ancient Romans believed that topaz protected them from dangers while traveling.
- Topaz was assumed to increase the body heat of the person and helped in relieving cold and fever.
- In Europe, Topaz was believed to increase mental powers.
- The ancient Greeks believed that the gemstone gave them strength.
Where can it be found?
Brazil is one of the top producers of topaz, though it can be found in many other parts of the world such as Canada, Nigeria, Pakistan, Japan, Russia, China, Burma, etc. In Brazil, Minas Gerais is the prime source of high-quality Topaz. The gemstone has been mined there for more than two centuries. The other major sources of topaz include Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the United States, etc.
Facts about Topaz
- Topaz for Royalty – In the 18th and 19th centuries, Topaz was used in jewelry meant for the Russian Czar’s family. The use of imperial topaz was restricted to be used only by the Czar, his family, and those who were gifted.
- Red is the rarest form of Topaz. There is currently less than 1% of all topaz found that has a reddish-orange hue.
- Blue topaz is the traditional stone for the 4th wedding anniversary.
- The Braganza “Diamond” of Portugal, a gigantic, uncut rough crystal weighing 1,680 carats, is actually a topaz but was believed to be a diamond.
- Topaz was normally confused for other gemstones bearing similar colors.
2. Citrine
The name “citrine” replaced the standard name of “yellow quartz” in 1556, which was derived from the French word “citron”, meaning lemon. It ideally received its name due to its colors. The yellow-orange gemstone comes from a variety of quartz. Often mistaken to be a topaz, this gemstone has acquired a special place in the hearts of people because of its bright yellow and orange hues. Citrine is measured 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it a durable gem to be used in jewelry on a day-to-day basis.
The warm hues of this gemstone symbolize mental clarity and emotional well-being. When we see this sparkling gem, the warmth and happiness it reflects are such a positive feeling. It is also believed that this gemstone has healing powers.
Where can it be found?
Natural Citrine originated in the Ural Mountains of Russia and in Madagascar. However, deposits can be found in many parts of the world such as Bolivia, Spain, Mexico, and Uruguay. One of the most important sources of natural, unheated citrine is Bolivia’s Anahí mine. The citrine birthstones produced at this mine usually range from orange-yellow to brownish/greenish-yellow.
Facts about Citrine
- Citrine is a transparent variety of quartz crystals. It gets its color from iron impurities within the quartz at the time of formation.
- Chinese emperors often wore citrine jewelry because they assumed it would increase intellectual capabilities and broaden the mind of its wearer.
- Citrine is recognized as the preferred gift for the 13th anniversary.
- The Malaga Citrine is the world’s largest faceted citrine and it weighs a whopping 20,200 carats.
- Natural citrine jewelry is extremely rare. Most of them are actually heat-treated amethyst or smokey quartz.
Topaz and citrine are two of the most alluring and sturdy gemstones. You’re lucky if your birthday falls in the month of November as you get to choose between topaz and citrine. GemsNY is a bespoke jewelry company that deals in over 50,000 natural gemstones. Topaz and citrine are the two gemstones that we generally don’t keep in our inventory, although we can definitely get them for you on request. So, what are you waiting for? Get your November birthstone now and celebrate your birthday with the charm of a precious gemstone.
