In terms of jewels, November, the eleventh month of the year, offers a jackpot of riches to those born in this month. In most gem-stocking regions worldwide, pure topaz and citrine gemstones—both November birthstones— are abundant.
Surprisingly, these exquisite stones are among the more affordable birthstones available today. An inexpensive, beautiful, and precious birthstone in November; what more could you ask for?
The Birthstone Colour For November
There is a colour associated with every month of the year. There is a power and healing potential associated with each colour that speaks to emotion. During November, the second last month of the year, the colour is a beautiful yellow-gold. From pale yellow to fiery sunset orange, this can manifest itself across a spectrum of warm colours.
November's birthstone is topaz, which sometimes causes some confusion. A rainbow of rich colours can be found in this gemstone. There is no doubt, however, that the most common and certainly most potent manifestation of the disease is a kaleidoscope of yellow, orange, and golden hues.
Happy, accessible, and hopeful are the symbols associated with yellow. Alternatives to a yellow stone include a Citrine stone. Warmth, vitality, enthusiasm, and excitement are associated with orange. Prosperity and luxury are associated with gold.
Topaz Birthstone
The Meaning And History Of Topaz Birthstones
A topaz gemstone can be colourless, light blue, yellow, orange, pink, violet, brown, or rarely red. Colourless topaz is usually treated with irradiation and heating to produce blue topaz. A thin artificial film coats the colourless topaz to create the rainbow effect seen in "Mystic Topaz."
Several sources trace the word "topaz" back to the Greek word topazos, which means "fire" in Sanskrit. Numerous benefits have been attributed to this November birthstone. As a result of topaz, the ancient Greeks believed they were strengthened. Europeans believed it could dispel anger and thwart magic spells from the 1300s to the 1600s. Indians have believed for centuries that topaz worn above the heart ensures long life, beauty, and intelligence.
Imperial topaz is distinguished by its distinctly pinkish-orange colour. There is a common belief that this gem's name comes from the Russian royal family's desire to keep its most acceptable colours exclusively for their use. A popular alternative explanation is that a reddish topaz was gifted to Brazilian Emperor Pedro II when he visited Ouro Preto in 1881, the town closest to Brazil's most productive topaz mines.
Fourth-wedding anniversary gems are blue and imperial topaz, and twenty-third-anniversary gems are imperial topaz.
Topaz - Where Is It Found?
Topaz, mined in Minas Gerais for over two centuries, is one of the world's most valuable minerals. Here you will find yellow to oranges, reds, pinks, violets, and blends of reds with oranges or purples. There is no better companion than the nearby town of Ouro Preto. Majestic colonial churches dotted along the skyline, and charming cobblestone streets traverse this UNESCO world heritage site.
It is known that pink topaz can be found in northwest Pakistan. Mines have operated near Katlang since 1972 on Ghundao Hill. There is also a tinge of violet in the most sought-after shade of pink topaz from Katlang, known as cyclamen pink, by some gem traders. The pink November birthstone is rare, even at Ghundao Hill.
Cleaning And Care For Topaz Birthstones
Despite its hardness on the Mohs scale, topaz has poor toughness, so it should be handled carefully to avoid chipping or cracking. Avoid using steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners when cleaning this November birthstone. You should use warm, soapy water when cleaning. Topaz can break internally when exposed to high temperatures or sudden temperature changes. While most birthstones are stable to light, some yellow-to-brown gems may fade with prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight. Some chemicals may subtly affect topaz.
Although Mystic Topaz's coating is resistant to normal wear, abrasive cleaners or buffing wheels will remove it. Topaz birthstones treated in this way should only be cleaned with a mild soap solution.
Citrine Birthstone
The Meaning And History Of The Citrine Birthstone
Quartz has been used in jewellery for thousands of years, as this November birthstone. It has been described as transparent yellow topaz to brownish orange topaz. Topaz, the other November birthstone, has been mistaken for citrine since ancient times. Therefore, citrine was thought to have the same properties as topaz. It was believed that wearing the citrine birthstone would calm and soothe the wearer's temper.
A rock crystal ornament glistened like permafrost when carved by the ancient Greeks. There is evidence of citrine in Roman jewellery, as well as rings set with massive purple amethysts. Scottish jewellery from the Victorian era was particularly popular with this design. An anniversary gift of citrine is given for the thirteenth wedding anniversary. Citrine gemstone is derived from the French word for "lemon" (citron).
Nowadays, most citrine available on the market is derived from heat-treated amethyst. Yellow citrine birthstones are among the most affordable and desirable yellow stones due to their availability in various sizes.
Citrine - Where Is It Found?
November's birthstone comes primarily from Bolivia, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico and Uruguay. A citrine-coloured amethyst is most commonly found in Brazil.
Anahi, Bolivia's most extensive freshwater wetlands, is an essential source of natural, unheated citrine. It is overflowing with fields of wildflowers, birds with brilliant plumage, butterflies in kaleidoscopes, Howler monkeys, and jaguars. It is a fitting setting for the story of the mine. This museum was discovered in the 1600s by a Spanish conquistador, who received it as a dowry when he married Anahi, a princess from the Ayoreo tribe of Paraguay. In the 1960s, the mine was rediscovered after being lost for three centuries.
An ametrine is a gemstone with both amethyst and citrine in the same crystal; when it appears in a fashioned gem, these two colours are combined. A citrine birthstone usually ranges from orange-yellow to brownish/greenish-yellow.
Cleaning And Care For Citrine Birthstones
In terms of hardness, citrine is rated seven on the Mohs scale, a medium hardness with good toughness. Warm, soapy water can be used to clean it safely. An ultrasonic machine is usually okay for cleaning your November birthstone jewellery, but steam cleaning can crack the stone due to high heat.
Lab-Grown Topaz Birthstone
Using cutting-edge technology and controlled conditions, lab-grown topazes offer a unique alternative to mined gems. Even though lab-grown topaz and mined topaz are the same, lab-grown topaz remains the birthstone for November. A natural gem "seed" creates a stone with the same chemical, optical, and physical properties as a mined gem. There are the same impurities in them as in mined topazes, as well as similar cut, clarity, colour, and carat diamond weight. Lab gemstones such as sapphires and emeralds are particularly famous.
The Reason That November Has Two Birthstones
It is primarily a matter of colour that those born in November have two November birthstones instead of just one.
Yellow-golden Topaz has associated with November birthstones. Citrines and topazes both have this colouration. They are a perfect complement to one another.
They may appear similar, but their compositions and healing energies are quite different, despite their similar appearances. Citrine enhances your healing ability, while topaz provides strength and an abundance of energy, as previously described.
These two birthstones complement each other well, therefore continuing to bless November babies for countless millennia to come.
Conclusion
When it comes to November birthstones, you can't go wrong. It is no surprise that topaz and citrine both have calming properties that boost happiness and bring prosperity to their owners.
In terms of durability, Topaz Jewellery and Citrine Jewellery are great and recommendable. The topaz stone has only a slight hardness than citrine, although if knocked by a hard object carelessly, it may chip. It is therefore recommended that you save this gem for special occasions.
FAQs
What is the value of topaz compared to diamonds?
In comparison with carat diamond, white topaz is considerably less expensive. Topaz easily wins in this category, which is why many prefer it over diamonds.
Topaz or citrine: which is better?
A Mohs' hardness of 8 makes topaz harder than citrine. It is much rarer to find fine Gem Topaz than fine Citrine, so it is much more valuable than fine Citrine. Scarce topaz specimens can be quite valuable compared to Citrine specimens.
What does topaz look like?
Topaz is colourless when naturally occurring, but trace element impurities can cause it to appear pale blue or golden topaz or bright yellow-orange when it has impurities. A topaz stone can be made into a deep blue colour, a reddish-orange colour, a pale green colour, and a pink or purple colour by using heat or radiation.
