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What is the November birthstone?
Like many months, November actually has two birthstones: topaz and citrine.
Though topaz comes in a rainbow of colors (from red and yellow to purple and blue), the warm yellow variety is most popular during the autumn month of November. Similarly, fall-themed citrine ranges in color from yellow and orange to honey or golden amber.
When side-by-side, these sunshine-colored gemstones can get mistaken for each other even by a professional jeweler!
That's why we created this ultimate guide to November birthstones. You'll learn everything you need to know about topaz and citrine before you make a purchase, including a few fun facts.
What are the November Birthstones?
The American Gem Society says that while topaz is traditionally November's birthstone, citrine is recognized as a more modern, popular, and practical second choice.
Though these two minerals are unrelated, golden topaz and natural citrine crystals both come in shades of yellow, orange, red, and brown, making November birthstone color choices resemble the changing colors of fall leaves.
Let's jump into their similarities and differences:
Everything You Need to Know About Topaz
Before gemologists started officially classifying them, all yellow gemstones were known as topazes.
However, mineralogists and gem experts now say topaz is a specific gem species formed from mineral silicates of fluoride and aluminum. These crystallize inside lava flows or inside rocks solidified by lava.
Topaz Colors
Naturally occurring topaz is colorless. Flaws and impurities in the mineral create a wide range of colors and hues. As a pleochroic mineral, you may see several colors when viewing topaz from different angles.
In addition to naturally-mined topaz, modern irradiation and heating processes flood the market with topaz stones in every color of the rainbow. These processes are undetectable from naturally-occurring topaz to the naked eye.
The most common topaz stone colors include:
- Light yellow (champagne) to orange. Yellow topaz is the most abundantly found variety. Very pale yellow topaz is sometimes mistaken for quartz or yellow sapphire.
- Pink to red. Heating yellow topaz produces gems in the pink and red family.
- Blue. Most blue topaz is created (i.e., not natural). It’s made when colorless topaz undergoes a special irradiation process, which results in different shades of blue.
Types of Topaz
Because so many different topaz types exist, gemologists tried to organize the most popular by color family. So you’ll see several topaz gemstone varieties on the market, such as:
- Precious Topaz, which refers to stones with yellow/peach/orange colors.
- Imperial Topaz stones are deep pink, orange, and very red. This rare and prized gemstone was mined in Russia and named to honor a Russian czar.
- Sherry Topaz comes in warm yellow to brown hues.
- Blue Topaz ranges from paler shades to more expensive dark blues. Swiss Blue, London Blue, Super Blue, and Maxi Blue are a few examples.
- Mystic Topaz has a rainbow effect due to a thin, artificial film coating added to colorless topaz.
Where Does Topaz Come From?
Mining for topaz took off during the 1800s and has continued into the modern day across countries such as:
Russia. Gem hunters found topaz in the Ural Mountains of Russia.
Brazil. Miners have been plucking large deposits of yellow, orange, red, pink, and violet topaz from Minas Gerais (a state in Brazil) and Ouro Preto (a UNESCO world heritage site) for over 200 years. Brazil is still the largest natural topaz producer.
Pakistan. A very rare and sought-after pink topaz with a hint of violet (called cyclamen pink) has been found in the small town of Katlang.
Topaz is now also mined in:
- Australia
- India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar
- Nigeria, Namibia, and Madagascar
- Mexico
- Italy and Norway
- The United States
Is Topaz Expensive?
Topaz is one of the most common gemstones around, making it an affordable November birthstone jewelry option. And since it's colorless, natural topaz is quickly becoming a trendy, budget-friendly diamond alternative for engagement rings.
Typically, yellow, orange, and brown topaz are the most abundant and least expensive. Rare, naturally-occurring varieties of deeply-colored Imperial Topaz, on the other hand, are much higher in price.
How to Buy Topaz
Since topaz comes in such a wide array of color choices, you're sure to find November birthstone jewelry to fit anyone's style.
One of the most important factors to consider when buying topaz is color. The richer and more intense the hue, the more valuable the topaz. Just remember that most colored topaz is heat-treated or irradiated, and it's almost impossible to tell treated topaz from naturally-mined colored topaz stones.
As far as your investment goes, topaz is a durable stone (measuring an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness). So you can confidently wear your topaz jewelry every day without fearing damage from normal wear-and-tear.
Fun Facts About Topaz
Share these fun facts about topaz with your friends or social media followers:
- Topaz marks several wedding anniversary gifts: blue topaz (for the 4th anniversary), golden topaz (for the 19th), and Imperial Topaz (for the 23rd).
- It’s said that topaz may come from the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire.
- Many ancient Egyptian talismans and artifacts contain vibrant yellow topaz, which they believed was the embodiment of the Sun God, Ra.
- The Ancient Greeks swore topaz gave strength to the wearer.
- During the middle ages, people believed topaz could ward off evil spells.
- Hindu traditions say wearing topaz above your heart ensures long life.
- Crystal experts believe topaz can help reduce anxiety, tempers, and nightmares.
- The Old Farmer’s Almanac says giving topaz symbolizes love, affection, and devotion.
- Only royals could own Imperial Topaz in Russia.
Now let’s move on to November’s other birthstone…
Everything You Need to Know About Citrine
Citrine is the second of November’s birthstones. It’s a gemstone in the quartz family, like amethyst, gray smoky quartz, and rose quartz.
Thanks to its naturally-occurring yellow to honey, amber, and orange hues, this gemstone used to be called “yellow quartz.”
But as it grew in popularity, it became known as citrine, named after the French word for yellow/orange citrus fruits (citron).
Citrine Color
Different locations create different shades of citrine, from pale yellow to orange and brown. This warm hue is caused by small iron traces and impurities inside quartz crystals, which is incredibly rare in nature.
That’s why most of today’s citrine is created by heat-treating less expensive varieties of quartz (such as amethyst). This process of using extreme heat turns purple crystals into golden-brown and fall-colored November birthstones.
Where Does Citrine Come From?
Citrine can be found almost anywhere in the world. It’s most often discovered in regions with high amethyst deposits.
Citrine mining is now widespread in:
- Russia
- Scotland, Spain, and France
- Mexico, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil (the largest supplier)
- South Africa, Namibia, and Madagascar
- The United States (in California, Colorado, and North Carolina)
Is Citrine Expensive?
The world has a healthy stock of citrine, making it one of the most affordable gemstones on the planet. Plus, since modern treatment methods can turn less expensive quartz into citrine, it's usually cheaper than topaz when it comes to November birthstones.
The price of citrine doesn't go up as you increase carat size like diamonds. You can purchase a dainty citrine ring, citrine earrings, or a large citrine gem up to 20 carats at equally modest prices.
Citrine is also durable enough to withstand everyday wear; it scores a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. So no matter the size, citrine jewelry is sure to fit everyone's budget and lifestyle.
How to Buy Citrine
Citrine jewelry makes a perfect gift whether you're looking to surprise someone for their November birthday, wedding anniversary, or any other special day in November.
The best way to evaluate citrine is by color. The richer the stone's color, the more valuable the citrine birthstone. Look for highly-saturated stones in earth tones like yellow, amber, orange, and deep honey/light brown hues. A less expensive citrine gemstone may appear pale or smoky in comparison.
It can be challenging to gauge a stone's true warmth since most citrine gems are heat-treated to enhance their appeal. That's why it's essential to know and trust where your birthstone jewelry comes from.
Fun Facts About Citrine
Did you know these fun facts about citrine?
- The name "citrine" was first used to refer to yellow gemstones back in 1385.
- Ancient people believed citrine could manifest wishes (especially prosperity!).
- It's often said that citrine symbolizes peace and new beginnings.
- Wearing citrine may put you in a sunnier, more cheerful mood.
- Chinese feng shui practitioners say citrine brings in wealth and abundance.
- Legends call citrine gems "healing quartz" because people thought they promoted vitality and energy when worn.
- Citrine was a trendy decorative gem in Ancient Greece.
- Scottish crafters during the 1600s often decorated dagger handles, kilt pins, and brooches with citrine stone.
- Queen Victoria was said to love citrines.
- Citrine is typically gifted on the 13th and 17th wedding anniversaries.
- The Smithsonian Institution has a Brazillian citrine weighing over 2,258 carats.
- In Bolivia, the Anahí mine created the ametrine gem: a unique combination of citrine and amethyst occurring in the same crystal.
Rings Featuring November Birthstones
Wearing your birthstone is supposed to bring good health and positive vibes your way. And giving birthstone jewelry to celebrate or commemorate a special day in November ushers in good luck for both giver and wearer. Since topaz and citrine come in so many colors, you have endless possibilities for gifting and accessorizing.
If you’re on the hunt for classy, modern November birthstone jewelry, you have to meet our Garen Blue Stone Ring.
Six sparkling stones surround one stunning blue topaz in this understated, sophisticated, dainty stacking ring. Garen comes in your choice of finishes: either 925 sterling silver, 18k yellow gold, or 18k rose gold.
The Garen stuns and turns heads like more expensive precious gemstones, but with a far more reasonable price tag - starting at $59!
Plus, all Blush and Bar jewelry comes with a lifetime guarantee (and we mean lifetime).
We’re so confident you’ll never worry about ring discoloration or green fingers that we’ll replace your ring, no questions asked, anytime you’re unhappy.
So if you’re ready to shop for your November birthstone ring stack or drop a hint for your November birthday wish list, check out our famous Pick 3 Rings for $99 collection!