If you were born in November, you could choose Topaz and Citrine as your birthstone. These two precious gems' yellow, orange and brown color palettes are strikingly similar. As a result, Topaz and Citrine have frequently been confused and misidentified for centuries, not only with one another but also with various other gemstones.
This blog will teach you everything you need about the November birthstones, Topaz, and Citrine.
November Birthstone Myths and History
Before we get into Topaz and Citrine's history, these two gemstones were thought to be the same until the early 20th century. Before that, all yellow, orange, and brown gemstones were thought to be Topaz. However, because of the advancement of modern gemology, these two November birthstones were identified as distinct gems in the 1930s.
Citrine: Modern November Birthstone
Citrine is the modern November's birthstone, and thousands have adored it since its discovery. Citrine was initially popular due to its scarcity. Citrine's uniqueness dwindled as more of it was introduced to the market. However, it retained its allure. Citrine was especially popular during the Art Deco era. Citrine was set in many valuable pieces to highlight its golden beauty.
Citrine was known as the "merchant's stone" or the "money stone" because it was thought to bring prosperity and happiness. Citrine gets its name from the French word citron, which means "lemon," It can be traced back to the Latin term citrina, which means "yellow."
Most people choose Citrine for personal reasons, but some of the most sought-after Citrine gemstones have a clear, radiant yellowish to brownish-red color. Citrine is a popular and reasonably priced gemstone. It is relatively common and comes in various sizes and shapes, often serving as a large, bold statement piece.
Interesting Facts about Citrine
Brazil is the leading supplier of citrines.
Citrine has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
Romans were thought to be the first to display the Citrine. They polished and carved the stone into a cabochon shape, frequently wearing it to highlight their fashion sense.
The Malaga Citrine is one of the world's most prominent faceted citrine gemstones. It weighs an astonishing 20,200 carats!
The famed 'Jolie Citrine Necklace' was designed in 2015 as part of the 'Style of Jolie' jewelry collection, a collaboration between Angelina Jolie and renowned American jeweler Robert Procop.
Topaz: November's Traditional Birthstone
Topaz, the second birthstone for November, is known for its dazzling blue hue and is associated with love and affection. Topaz is derived from the Greek word topazion, which means "fire." While this is the most commonly accepted origin of the word, some believe it was named after an Egyptian island. This is where the majority of Topaz was discovered, but it was also found in Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and Australia.
The word "topaz" may derive from the Greek word topazos, while others believe it derives from the Sanskrit word tapas, which means "fire." Topaz was once thought to have magical properties that could grant its wearer strength. As a result, Topaz was associated with long life, beauty, and intelligence throughout the Middle Ages. Other superstitions held that Topaz could cure fevers, lunacy, and blindness. As a result, Topaz is now associated with fortune, confidence, and ambition.
Interesting Facts about Topaz
Topaz was first found in Germany.
Topaz has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It's the hardest of any silicate mineral.
Pure Topaz is often colorless and can be mistaken for a diamond.
The El-Dorado Topaz is believed to be the largest faceted gemstone in the world.
Where Can You Find Citrine and Topaz?
Topaz can be found worldwide, from the mountains of Russia to Finders Island in Australia. Topaz is mined in Pakistan, Brazil, and Sri Lanka, among other places. In addition, Topaz Mountain in Utah was named after the mineral's abundance!
Citrine, like Topaz, is a quartz variety that can be found all over the world. Quartz is the most abundant mineral on the planet.
November Birthstones In Jewelry
As previously mentioned, Topaz and Citrine have been used in jewelry for thousands of years.
Because Topaz comes in various colors, it can be paired with almost any type of jewelry. The most popular topaz colors are red and orange, usually combined with gold. It can be cut into a variety of shapes and sizes. Because Topaz is typically elongated or columnar in condition, oval, round, cushion, triangle, emerald, and pear cuts are trendy. Topaz is frequently used in faceted gems or cabochons.
In Ancient Greece, Citrine was widely used in jewelry. It was highly fashionable in the 1930s and 1940s and was worn by famous Hollywood actresses and other celebrities. In most cases, Citrine has a yellow hue, so gold highlights it even more. Like all types of quartz, Citrine comes in various shapes and sizes. It can be carved, personalized, or calibrated. Citrine is also stunning in silver or platinum settings. They are less expensive alternatives to diamonds and yellow sapphires.
Whether you choose Topaz or Citrine, you're bound to get a beautiful and unique gem to celebrate your birth month.
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