Topaz Or Citrine

There are two choices for the November birthstone, topaz or citrine. In the past, both topaz and citrine were thought to be the same stone – topaz – or at least every yellow stone in antiquity was called topaz.

Topaz does exist naturally in a spectrum of colors, but most topaz gemstones trend more towards the yellow end of the spectrum. From the yellow topaz, the spectrum follows the color line to pink topaz, purple, and orange.

The most valuable topaz color is on the yellow end of the spectrum. This is what is referred to as Imperial topaz. An Imperial topaz gemstone has rich yellow, golden color. In ancient times, the yellow color of the topaz was associated with gods of the sun; Imperial topaz rings would have been considered a very powerful amulet which could protect the wearer from harm.

Pink topaz has been thought to have mystical properties. Pink topaz mystical properties include the ability to heal the bearer; these mystic topaz properties are said to wax and wane with the phases of the moon. Pink topaz is mined from Russia and Pakistan.

Blue topaz jewelry is a very popular choice in modern jewelry fashions. Most blue topaz, like London blue topaz, gets its color from an enhancement process using irradiation to give light or clear topaz its blue color. Regardless of the source of the coloration, a blue topaz ring is a beautiful prize to own.

The topaz mineral is something entirely different from the mineral composition of citrine; despite this, citrine was taken for topaz for many years because of their similar color traits. This is probably how we come to have the two similar stones both standing in as birthstones for November. Citrine is actually a variety of quartz; smokey or yellow quart to be specific.

Citrine has somewhat relative powers to topaz. Citrine is known as the 'healing quartz'. It is said to give the wearer energy, warmth, and hope, and to support health and vitality.

Citrine exists naturally in a range of colors, but is more limited on the spectrum than topaz. Citrine ranges from light, pastel, yellow to a sort of brown-orange. Citrine is very plentiful in nature and is found in abundance in Brazil, Spain, and Bolivia. Citrine jewelry is quite affordable because citrine is so abundant. It is one of the most affordable gemstones.

Either topaz or citrine is an excellent choice for fashion jewelry or for gift giving for November birthdays. The gift of a piece of citrine or topaz jewelry shows that you care about the recipient’s well-being, wishing them protection, speed of healing, and vitality of life. All excellent protections to pass on to one you care about, regardless of the month of their birth.