Topaz and Citrine: The Guide To November Birthstones

Birthstone

 Birth Stone |  By: Mansi Soni 

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The ones born in November also have two gemstones that makes it easier to slide through the chilly time of their birth. Topaz and citrine not only calm the nerves down but they are also known to impart the wearer with warmth and good fortune.

In fact, the two birthstones look so alike that they have been mistaken for each other many a times in the past. However, Topaz and Citrine are unrelated and available in a broad range of hues including the popular yellow variety.

Topaz and Citrine are found in abundance making them affordable and easy to procure. Historically, all yellow gems were considered to be Topaz; however, Topaz has a wide range of hues.

Topaz got its name from the Greek word ‘Topazios’ which was actually the name of St. John’s island in the Red Sea. The yellow stones mined in the island weren’t actually Topaz but that’s how Topaz got its identity.

The purest variety of Topaz doesn’t have colour but gets tinted by impurities inside to adorn any colour.

Pure topaz is colorless, but it can become tinted by impurities to take on any color of the rainbow. Topaz can be found in a variety of colours ranging from yellow to orange brown getting it easily mistaken as quartz or citrine even though they are not related.

Imperial Topaz is the most popular variety of Topaz while Blue Topaz is abundantly available for purchase is in fact much rare to come by.

Brazil produces the largest quality of Topaz closely followed by the Indian subcontinent including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka with other producers from Russia, Germany, Australia, Mexico, U.S. and Nigeria.

Topaz is hard and durable measuring 8 on the Mohs scale; however, it is prone to cracking which is why it needs precise cutting. It is an excellent gemstone for wearing in jewelery.It’s traditionally beliebed to cure madness and ward off nightmares for the wearer.

The second birthstone of November, Citrine is a variety of quartz ranging from orange brown to faint yellow. It was named after the citron fruit whose shades resemble its most popular variety.

The yellow of citrine is due to traces of iron in the crystals of quartz.Although, its rare in nature, most citrine available for purchase is made after providing heat treatment to quartz namely purple amethyst and smoky quartz.  

Like Topaz, Brazil produces the largest supply of citrine internationally with Spain, Russia, U.S., Madagascar, France and Bolivia. Different places produce different varieties of shades.

It’s hardness on the Mohs scale is 7 making it durable and fit to be worn for daily use. Citrine is believed to be the healing gemstone since like Topaz, this gemstone too provides calmness, soothes the nerves and adds comfort to the wearer’s disposition. Citrine is also known to release negativity, manifest your intentions and improve imagination. Popularly known as the ‘merchant’s stone’for attracting wealth towards the wearer.

Citrine was used to denote all yellow gems since 1380s. However, historically it often got ended up as Topaz owing to their identical appearances. After Citrine was distinguised from Topaz it became popular for accessories and jewellery adorned by both men and women. As of today, it is one of the most popular gemstones.

Always shop Citrine through reliable sources to identify if it has been heat treated which affects its pricing. The best varieties of Citrine will have yellow, red or orange saturations inside while lower quality ones will be smoky or pale in appearance. Yellow and brown Citrine are quite popular but rarely occuring in nature which is they are produced by heat treating.

Citrine is available in sizes as much as 20 carats while still being reasonably priced. The largest Citrine side can be thousands of carats.

Also Read: November Birthstones: Topaz and Citrine Properties And Benefits

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Gems and Jewellery, topaz birthstone, citrine birthstone, November Birthstone