Full Information for the November Birthstones

For those who have been born in November, then you may have two November birthstones to select from; topaz and citrine. These two valuable gems have numerous similarities, together with their yellow, orange, and brown coloration palettes. For that reason, topaz and citrine have been generally confused and misidentified for hundreds of years, not solely with one another however with quite a lot of different gem stones as nicely.
On this article, we’ll inform you every thing it’s essential find out about topaz and citrine, the November birthstones.
What Are the Birthstones for November?

There are two November birthstones: topaz and citrine.
Topaz is a silicate mineral usually with gold-brown, yellow, and orange hues. It may even be colorless or icy blue, pale inexperienced, fiery purple, and even purple, although warmth therapy virtually all the time achieves these colours. Pure pink, purple, and golden kinds of topaz are the toughest to search out. The sort of topaz is often often called “imperial topaz.”
What makes this November birthstone stand out is the truth that it is available in a few of the largest crystal sizes on this planet. The most important ones are measured in kilos, not carats. Topaz primarily comes from Brazil, the place it’s referred to as “valuable topaz.” Whereas valuable topaz is the birthstone of November, blue topaz marks the month of December.
Citrine is a sort of quartz whose coloration palette varies from pale yellow to brown. It’s not as uncommon as Topaz and, subsequently, extra reasonably priced. As a result of most citrines are heat-treated, it’s fairly difficult to search out an untreated citrine. This November gemstone has been utilized in jewellery ever since historical instances, and to this present day, it continues to be the preferred yellow gemstone on this planet.
Apart from being the birthstone for the month of November, it’s additionally the gem for the 13th wedding ceremony anniversary.
Bodily Properties of Topaz and Citrine

As beforehand talked about, topaz and citrine have been labeled as the identical gemstone till lately. That’s as a result of it’s almost inconceivable to distinguish these two stones, even for skilled gemologists. The one issue that units them aside is their hardness.
Topaz is significantly heavier than citrine (roughly 25% per equal quantity) because it’s a nesosilicate mineral. In different phrases, it’s one of many hardest naturally occurring minerals, rating 8 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Citrine, then again, has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. This distinction in weight distinguishes the two November birthstones with equal volumes.
Topaz kinds in magmatic and igneous rocks and might weigh lots of of kilos. It has a pure colorless state, however attributable to aluminum and fluorine impurities, it’s doable to search out topaz in yellow, orange, brown, inexperienced, pink, purple, and blue colours. Topaz can also be pleochroic, which signifies that it could actually show the so-called rainbow impact. The sort of topaz is additionally referred to as “mystic topaz.” Topaz can also be notable as a result of it’s slippery to the contact.
Citrine seems in monumental hole crystal-lined amethyst geodes. It primarily shows earth tones, equivalent to brown, pale yellow, reddish-orange, and such. These colours happen attributable to colloidal ferric hydroxide impurities inside the crystalline construction. Curiously sufficient, most “citrine” gems in the marketplace are literally heat-treated amethyst and smoky quartz stones. Discovering pure, untreated citrine could be very difficult in as we speak’s gem economic system.
Topaz Vs. Citrine: Which November Birthstone is Proper for You?
When deciding between topaz and citrine as a November birthstone, it’s important to think about each aesthetic and private preferences. Topaz is thought for its beautiful vary of colours, from golden yellow to deep blue, and even uncommon pink and purple hues. Its versatility makes it splendid for anybody searching for a extra dramatic or vibrant gemstone. Citrine, then again, is cherished for its heat, sunny yellow and orange tones, usually symbolizing happiness and prosperity. For those who’re drawn to understated magnificence and a stone that exudes heat, citrine could possibly be the right alternative.
By way of sturdiness, topaz is barely more durable than citrine, making it a greater choice for individuals who put on jewellery usually and desire a extra resilient stone. Nonetheless, citrine’s affordability and putting coloration make it a preferred alternative for these trying to get probably the most worth for his or her funds. Each stones have wealthy histories and symbolism, however the resolution finally comes down as to if you’re on the lookout for the big variety and boldness of topaz or the cheerful simplicity of citrine.
November Birthstones in Jewellery
As beforehand talked about, topaz and citrine have been utilized in jewellery for hundreds of years.
Since topaz shows quite a lot of colours, it may be worn with nearly any sort of bijou. Probably the most sought-after topaz colours are purple and orange, and they’re usually mixed with gold. It could be lower into many styles and sizes. Since topaz often comes with elongated or columnar shapes, oval, spherical, cushion, triangle, emerald, and pear cuts are immensely standard. Topaz is usually used for faceted gems or cabochons.
Topaz can also be generally mixed with diamonds, creating a pointy coloration distinction. They’ll even change diamonds, as they make a superb, budget-friendly various. Followers of blue topaz stones can put on them with silver, platinum, and diamonds. Topaz could be worn as earrings, rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches. They’re fairly favorable as a result of they make elegant gems with a refined luster.
Citrine was closely utilized in jewellery in Historical Greece. It was extremely fashionable within the Nineteen Thirties and Forties, worn by well-known Hollywood actresses and different celebrities. Since citrine has a yellow hue usually, gold makes it stand out much more. Similar to all different types of quartz, citrine is obtainable in quite a lot of styles and sizes. It may be carved, custom-cut, or calibrated. Citrine additionally appears to be like lovely in silver or platinum settings. They make reasonably priced alternate options to diamonds and yellow sapphires.
Worth and Worth of Topaz and Citrine
Topaz and citrine are valued in line with various factors and requirements. Citrine is far more widespread than topaz, which makes it extra fairly priced. In contrast with different valuable gem stones like emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, topaz can also be less expensive. Due to this fact, in case you’re planning to purchase topaz and citrine jewellery, you may have all kinds to select from.
When all yellow stones have been regarded as topaz, they was far more costly. In the present day, a one-carat topaz stone can value as little as $25. Warmth-treated topaz can value even much less, relying on its high quality. Imperial topaz instructions a better value, starting from $1,000 to $3,500. It often is available in stones weighing fewer than 5 carats.
Naturally occurring blue topaz is extraordinarily uncommon, so any blue topaz you discover on sale was most probably heat-treated. These kind of topaz gems are additionally not too costly.
Citrine is the preferred yellow-orange gemstone. Since most citrine gem stones in the marketplace have undergone some kind of therapy, they’re extensively obtainable and extra reasonably priced than different gem stones, even when they’re fairly giant. A citrine stone can value from $10 to $30 per carat. If the citrine has gone by way of any type of therapy, it’s prone to be on the decrease finish of the pricing scale.
What Are the Most Costly Sorts of Topaz and Citrine?
The rarest and Most worthy topaz selection is the imperial topaz. It usually comes from the Ouro Preto mines of the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. The Ural Mountains in Russia are one other giant imperial topaz deposit. Relying on the dimensions and the high quality of the imperial topaz, the value can range from $1,000 to $3,500.
The rationale imperial topaz is so pricy in comparison with different kinds of this stone is that they’re not often handled or enhanced. This gemstone seems in peach, pink, orange, or golden-brown colours. What’s extra, as of lately, imperial topaz has turn into thought of a uncommon collector’s gem, which suggests it’s extraordinarily exhausting to come by.
Citrine isn’t an costly gemstone, regardless of what number of carats it weighs. As with all gem stones, the higher the citrine’s high quality, coloration, and readability, the extra worth it has. Moreover, the extra saturated the yellow or orange coloration, the greater the value. Smoky citrine gems with seen inclusions are on the decrease finish of the value scale.
Pure citrine is exceedingly uncommon since most citrine stones obtainable have gone by way of some kind of enhancement. Due to this fact, pure, unheated citrines would undoubtedly go for a better value. Customized-cut citrine stones are additionally prone to value extra.
Store Our November Birthstone Ring Assortment
Listed here are a few of our November Birthstones from our assortment.
Buying Ideas for the November Topaz Birthstones
When purchasing for a topaz stone, there are a few issues it’s essential contemplate:
1. Seek for an Even, Vivid Shade
Since topaz usually isn’t high-priced, you could find varied colours, sizes, and cuts. With regards to coloration, it’s really useful you search for a topaz with intense saturation. Probably the most beneficial are orange, purple, and pink topaz stones. The colour you select ought to rely in your private desire, however ensure you select a topaz with vivid coloration.
2. Select a Form That Works for You
You will get actually inventive with the lower of your topaz. Since they’re mined in such giant sizes, they are often lower into nearly any form. The most well-liked ones are pear, oval, marquise, cushion, emerald, spherical, and related cuts. To maximise the colour capability of the topaz, you need to go together with an emerald lower.
3. Handled vs. Untreated Topaz
As beforehand talked about, it’s significantly difficult to discover a topaz that wasn’t handled. Take into account that pure, untreated topaz is sure to value greater than a handled one.
4. Ask for a Certificates for Imperial Topaz
If you wish to purchase an imperial topaz, you need to ask for a certificates that proves its authenticity. It’s simple to create synthetic gem stones, so a lab-approved certificates is important.
Buying Ideas for the November Citrine Birthstones
To seek out the right citrine, listed below are a few issues to look out for:

1. Search for Eye-Clear Citrine
Since citrine isn’t costly, ensure you discover the absolute best one. One of many components it’s essential contemplate is the citrine’s readability. Eye-visible inclusions aren’t widespread on this gemstone, so discovering an eye-clear citrine gained’t be powerful.
2. Select a Citrine With Intense Saturation
Citrines often have a pale yellow coloration, whereas extra intensely coloured ones are extra beneficial. It’s additionally doable to search out vivid orange, purple, and brown hues.
3. Assume About Carat Weight
If carat weight is necessary to you, citrine is available in quite a lot of sizes. You may even discover citrine gem stones weighing 20 carats for a low value.
November Birthstone Colours

Topaz is available in quite a lot of colours, and you possibly can even discover colorless topaz. Probably the most valued topaz stones have a fiery, saturated purple coloration. Imperial Topaz additionally shows purple, orange, peach, pink, and champagne colours. Generally, an imperial topaz may even have traces of violet hues. To be categorised as imperial topaz, a gemstone has to include a reddish pleochroic coloration. Irrespective of how intense their coloration is, sure imperial topaz gem stones can fade if they’re uncovered to daylight for a lengthy time frame.
As soon as topaz goes by way of warmth therapy or every other sort of enhancement, it may be gentle inexperienced, wine purple, pale grey, reddish-orange, or peach. With regards to blue topaz, they happen very not often in nature. That’s why handled blue topaz is extraordinarily reasonably priced and usually obtainable. For those who see a blue topaz with an intense saturation, it’s most probably pretend. Topaz may have two colours concurrently, during which case it’s referred to as a bicolor topaz.
Citrine, then again, primarily shows earthy colours. That consists of brownish orange, pale yellow, and reddish-orange. Similar to topaz, pure, untreated citrine is uncommon. Nonetheless, most citrine stones bought commercially are a results of amethyst and smoky quartz therapy.
Myths and Historical past of November Birthstones
Earlier than we focus on the historical past of topaz and citrine, it’s necessary to say that these two gem stones have been thought of to be the identical till the start of the twentieth century. Earlier than that second arrived, all yellow, orange, and brown gem stones have been regarded as topaz. These two November birthstones have been recognized as separate gems within the Nineteen Thirties, due to the event of fashionable gemology.
The phrase “topaz” could come from the Greek phrase topazos, whereas others imagine it originated from the Sanskrit phrase tapas, which means “hearth.” In historical instances, topaz was believed to have magical properties that might grant its wearer energy. All through the Center Ages, topaz was related with lengthy life, magnificence, and intelligence. Based on different superstitions, topaz may remedy fevers, lunacy, and blindness. In the present day, folks affiliate topaz with success, confidence, and ambition.
Folks referred to as citrine the “service provider’s stone” or the “cash stone” because it was believed that it may deliver prosperity and well-being. Because of its pale yellow coloration, the time period “citrine” comes from the French phrase citron, which suggests “lemon.” The phrase could be traced again additional to the Latin time period citrina, which suggests “yellow.”
In Historical Egypt, citrine was thought to have magic powers, and other people used them as talismans to push back evil. Not like topaz, citrine was worn as jewellery for hundreds of years. In the present day, citrine is an emblem of power, wealth, abundance, pleasure, and good luck.
Mining Areas of Topaz and Citrine
Each November birthstones have been round for hundreds of years.
There are topaz deposits everywhere in the world. Nonetheless, most topaz comes from Brazil, in the state of Minas Gerais, the place giant deposits have been found midway by way of the 19th century. That can also be the place the world’s largest clear topaz was discovered, weighing an spectacular 596 kilos (271 kilos).
One other well-known residence of the Topaz gemstone is Topaz Mountain, positioned in the Thomas Vary in Utah. Different mining places of Topaz embrace the Chivinar volcano in South America, the Ural and Ilmensky Mountains in Russia, in addition to Pakistan, Norway, Nigeria, Mexico, the US, Australia, Sri Lanka, and extra. Pink topaz, which is the rarest coloration, could be present in Northwestern Pakistan.
One of the beneficial sources of citrine is the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. Pure, unheated citrine will also be discovered within the Anahí mine in Bolivia, which was misplaced for 30 years after which rediscovered within the second half of the 20th century. Curiously, this mysterious mine produces a mix of citrine and amethyst, which is in any other case recognized as ametrine. Different citrine deposits embrace the mines in the Ural Mountains of Russia, in addition to Uruguay, Spain, Mexico, and Madagascar.
Cleansing Topaz and Citrine Jewellery
For those who purchase a topaz or a citrine, it’s essential take correct care of them so you possibly can put on them for so long as doable.
Despite the fact that topaz is more durable than most gem stones (with a hardness of 8.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale), it could actually fracture or shatter with sufficient influence drive. What’s extra, topaz could be brittle alongside its crystal lattice traces. Due to this fact, it’s finest to not put on your topaz jewellery while you plan to do some actions which may hurt it.
While you’re not carrying your topaz, you need to retailer it individually in a delicate fabric or padded container. As talked about earlier than, some sorts of topaz are delicate to daylight, and if they’re uncovered for too lengthy, their coloration can fade. So, if doable, keep away from exposing it to the solar, and don’t preserve it by the window. To wash your topaz, use lukewarm water and a delicate fabric. Keep away from any chemical compounds and steer clear of ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Citrine is softer than topaz, so it’s essential be additional cautious to not injury it. When you have a heat-treated citrine, word that its coloration would possibly fade if it’s uncovered to warmth. The identical factor goes for cleansing your citrine jewellery; use heat water, a delicate fabric, and a gentle detergent. As well as, in case your citrine has a low high quality, solely clear it by hand.
Keep away from stream or boil cleansing strategies, in addition to ultrasonic cleaners. For those who plan to go swimming in a pool, it’s crucial to take away your citrine earlier than doing so.
Not like most months of the 12 months, November comes with two birthstones: topaz and citrine. Topaz is a captivating, golden brown, and honey-yellow gemstone, an glorious various to diamonds and different gems. Citrine is a extra widespread gemstone that shows yellow, orange, and brown colours, and it’s one other stone that appears lovely mixed with gold and diamonds.
Attain out to our consultants for extra info and to purchase a birthstone piece of bijou.