November Birthstones

For November, we will be traveling to Brazil, the principal exporter of Topaz and one of the few sources of Citrine. These two traditionally yellow gems are November’s birthstones. But there’s more to them than just their lemony hue. While the historical birthstone choice for November was the ever-lustrous Pearl (which we can read more about here). Modern lists have both Topaz and Citrine. These gems are unique in their own right and have a few overlapping characteristics that can confuse them for each other. Follow along as we break down what makes these gems inimitable and their individual life-promoting properties.

Topaz

While the highest source of gem-quality Topaz comes from Brazil, this magnificent gem can be found worldwide in various colors. Individual deposits from America, Russia, the Middle East, and Australia will range in quality and color. Topaz can naturally occur in colorless, white, brown, yellow, blue, and red varieties. Before the 1960s, light to medium blue Topaz was very desirable, as it was difficult to find naturally. However, after the advent of a two-step process that turns (near)colorless Topaz to brown and then blue, blue Topaz has become the predominant color and is highly affordable. Blue Topaz can be found in a range of intensities, from a light Sky Blue to a deep London Blue. The same process can be used to turn yellow and brown Topaz into more desirable red colors.

The example above from Blue Nile is a London Blue Topaz Round Rope Bracelet in Sterling Silver. We personally have a complete set of London Blue Topaz jewelry from Blue Nile and can attest to their stunning appearance and deep blue color. While we love all blue Topaz hues, we feel that the London Blue is particularly gorgeous and gives the impression of a far more expensive jewelry piece.

Topaz is an interesting gem as it is both tough yet quite delicate. With a Mohs scale rating of 8, it is one of the hardest gems available. Yet, it has a very high degree of cleavage, which means it can be split down natural grainlines easily. Given this, it is recommended that Topaz gems not be cleaned using ultrasonic cleaners as the vibrations might cause the gem to split across its grain. However, potential owners shouldn’t worry too much about this, as modern jewelry considers this characteristic when designing a mount.

Topaz gems have several spiritual and beneficial characteristics associated with them. Derived from the Sanskrit word for Fire, much of the Topaz’s meaning surrounds a person’s inner radiance and energy. Topaz enhances passion, devotion, and self-esteem while protecting the user from jealousy and negativity.

One final note regarding Topaz is its propensity to be found in large jewel quality sizes. A favorite of nobility and museums, several large Topaz gems are found worldwide and can range from several hundred to several thousand carats. Most of these examples can be found at public institutions, although several notable Topaz’s are held in private collections. “The Brazillian Princess,” pictured here, was once the world’s largest at 21,327-carats. This emerald-cut light blue Topaz is now the fourth largest in the world and is housed at the National Museum of Natural History.

Citrine

While Citrine had not traditionally been the most desirable gem, this perception has recently changed as jewelry tastes have shifted towards more earth tones. Found almost exclusively in Brazil and South America, Citrine comes in various yellow hues due to the quantities of ferric iron found within the gem. Most modern Citrine is made of quartz or amethyst that is then heated to produce the yellow tones. This heat treatment is perfectly acceptable within the jewelry industry and does not affect pricing. Deep orange Citrines offer a unique color combination and are very desirable for jewelry applications. These “Madeira” Citrines make stunning jewelry, especially engagement rings.

The Citrine Cushion Cocktail Ring in 14k White Gold above from Blue Nile highlights the yellow gem’s subtle hues and smooth brown undertones, giving it an almost butterscotch flavor. You can browse Blue Nile's extensive Citrine jewelry collection below. Be sure to check back often as Blue Nile has almost year-long promotions on their gemstone jewelry.

Citrine is a reasonably hard gem with a Mohs scale of 7. With no cleavage, it is a highly durable option for rings and other exposed jewelry. Derived from the Latin word for citrus, Citrine carries fresh and invigorating connotations. It is said that Citrine is a rejuvenating gem, allowing the user to feel replenished and vibrant. This should come as no surprise, as Citrine’s unique color combination has been associated with the warmth of the sun and vibrant spring rebirth for hundreds of years.

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