Say Hello To November's Birthstones: Citrine & Topaz

November is traditionally the month to be thankful and there is a focus on family and food.  Many countries around the world have various celebrations in November. It is no surprise that November birthdays are associated with these earth toned gemstones Citrine and Topaz.  Click HERE to see our Citrine or Topaz gemstones or jewelry

Citrine - 13th Wedding Anniversary    

Sister to amethyst, this golden quartz gem is a symbol of warmth and affection.  Today, Citrine is known as the merchant’s stone and is associated with success and prosperity.Citrine is a member of the quartz family and derives its name from the French word “citron”, meaning lemon. Citrine can vary in color from pure yellow to golden honey to smoky brown. Heating various types of quartz produces citrine. Of all the earth toned gems, citrine is one of the most popular and affordable, and can brighten almost any jewelry style, blending especially well with the yellow gleam of polished gold. Generally, the most valued types are in intense orange colors.  Brazil and Zambia is the primary source of this gemstone.

Topaz - 23rd Wedding Anniversary

Topaz comes in a variety of colors including yellow, brown, honey, green, blue, red, pink and sometimes no color at all.  It has a very high luster and always seems to have a highly polished look.  Blue topaz is the most affordable because it is readily available.   Due to the American preference for blue, amethyst, along with blue topaz are the two biggest selling colored stones in this country.   Pure topaz is colorless (white) and is routinely heated and irradiated to produce blue or green colors.  Brown topaz is not commonly enhanced. Topaz in yellow and yellow-golden shades are often called precious topaz.  As the colors get more towards shades of orange and sherry, the stones are called Imperial Topaz.  There is no official scientific demarcation between precious and Imperial Topaz, rather it is based on the shades of colors.  The beautiful colors of imperial Topaz can have shades of peach, apricot, pink and even get to red.  The richest colors of topaz are found in Brazil near the city of Ouro Preto.  Production at the mines has been limited in the last ten years.

The Egyptians said that topaz was colored with the golden glow of the sun god. Legend has it that topaz dispels all enchantment and helps to improve eyesight. Topaz is thought to fuel matters of the heart, inspire courage, increase intuition and sharpen wit. 

Best wishes to everyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary in November.

Click HERE to see our Citrine or Topaz gemstones or jewelry