What You Need To Know About November Birthstones: Topaz And Citrine

During the middle of fall, November brings us different colors from golden yellow to burnt orange with the fallen leaves and Thanksgiving pumpkin inspired foods and beverages (Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte anyone?). The traditional birthstones of this month, topaz and citrine, match perfectly with the fall season as the year begins to come to an end.

There is a lot to know about these gemstones as far as their history, where they were first discovered and where they can be mined, and characteristics of the gemstones for the month of November. Whether you are purchasing a November birthstone for yourself or as a gift for a birthday, anniversary, or other celebration; there are lots to know about these two birthstones.

History of the November birthstones: Topaz

The name for Topaz comes from Topazos, which is the name of a small island in the Red Sea. There, the Romans found the bright gemstone and named it after the island. In Sanskrit, the word also means “fire” and the myth is that one could control heat with the stone as well as control the opposite effect of heat by being able to cool water and cool down even strong emotions such as anger and aggression.

Because people used to believe it could cool a temper, they would also use it as a medicine to help cure a fever years and years ago. Not only is Topaz a golden yellow color, but it can also be found in a variety of colors from blue, pink, red, and green but pure Topaz is actually colorless and is similar in appearance to a Diamond. Being amber colored with shades from yellow, orange, to brown; the most popular color is probably blue, the traditional birthstone for the month of December.

Besides the Mediterranean island of Topazos, Topaz can also be found in the many different areas all over the world:

• South and Latin America-Brazil and Mexico
  • Largest producer of amber topaz is in Minas Geranis region of Brazil
  • Australia
  • Europe-Ukraine and Scotland
  • Asia-Russia, Pakistan, Japan, Sri Lanka, China, Japan and Myanmar
  • Africa-Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Namibia
  • North America-United States in the western states of Colorado and California

Topaz has a long history of being used by the wealthy citizens from wealthy businessmen to royal monarchies for centuries. Its popularity began as far back when it was mined over 2,000 years and as one of the gemstones that was used in the foundations for the 12 gates of Jerusalem. During the Middle Ages, royalty and clergy wore it as a part of their jewelry and sewed it into their clothing.

The Portuguese Crown Jewels that date back from 1680 includes a large cut Topaz stone called Braganza Diamond after the House of Braganza from the Kingdom of Portugal and because it’s colorless; therefore resembling a diamond. Another impressive collection is the Topaz set that can be found in the Green Vault, Dresden of Germany.

There are several different characteristics associated with this November birthstone including sincerity, wisdom, loyalty, friendship, and courage. It was believed that whoever wore Topaz could have enhanced abilities such as strength, relaxation, emotional balance, and happiness.

History of the November birthstones: Citrine

The other common November birthstone which is actually a quartz stone, Citrine, can also be found in shades of orange, yellow, and brown. Citrine can be found combined with another quartz, amethyst, which is referred to as Ametrine and is a beautiful combination of the yellow gold fused with royal purple. Amertrine can be found in Bolivia, Brazil, and India. Citrine actually has a shared history with Topaz.

Even though the shapes and sizes are different, both gemstones were found on the same Mediterranean island of Topazios. Because of its yellow color, Citrine was named because of the Spanish word, “citrine” which means “lemon-colored” and the French word for lemon which is “citrin” and is also the same or similar word in spelling as other languages such as Hungarian (“citrom” or “citrin” as well) and Czech (“citron”).  The color of Citrine can vary from its namesake yellow color to deeper shades of dark amber similar to the color of red wine called Madeira.

Similar to Topaz, legend has it that the gemstone is able to diminish any feelings of anger or depression to make room for optimistic thoughts and to balance emotions in order to have better clarity. By aiding in mental clarity, it can stimulate memory and intuition.

Citrine is nicknamed the “healing quart stone” because people once used the gemstone based on the belief that it could help several health problems including:

• Digestion
• Flush out toxins
• Heal the kidney, liver, and heart
• Diabetes
• Urinary

The Greeks specifically believed that by wearing the gemstone, it could bring the wearing strength and power when it is needed the most. Romans believed it could help improve a person’s eyesight and Egyptians believed that the color was because it was colored with golden sunshine radiance by the Sun God Ra who would protect them from injury. During the Middle Ages, people would wear it to protect them against the plague, snake venom, and even evil thoughts.

The best places to mine for Citrine is in Brazil in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and also in Bolivia and Spain.

Celebrating with Topaz and Citrine

Besides celebrating birthdays in November, Topaz and Citrine are used to celebrate several other occasions. Citrine is the gemstone for the Zodiac sign, Gemini and Topaz is the gemstone for both Leo and Sagittarius. Citrine is a common gift to give for 13^th anniversary and Topaz celebrates the 4^th (Blue Topaz), 19th and 23^rd (Imperial Topaz).

The Imperial Topaz is in shades of red and pink and was often the choice gemstone by the Russian czar and royalty and the imperial family owned land in the Ural Mountains.

If you know someone who has a birthday coming up and want to purchase jewelry with birthstones for November, a Topaz or Citrine gemstone is a wonderful gift to give to anyone of any age. As the fall season is here, it can bring a warm glow to someone’s day with their beautiful yellow-gold amber color.