Topaz, the birthstone for November, represents adoration and love. It is thought to boost the wearer’s strength and intelligence. Find out more about the topaz’s color, history, and lore.
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Why are there two birthstones for November?
The 12 stones of the High Priest’s breastplate recorded in Exodus are thought to be the origin of the concept of birthstones. Wearing one stone per month of the year was formerly a widespread habit. The Jewelers of America sought to standardize birthstones in 1912. Modern birthstones are chosen primarily on what can be sold in huge quantities the quickest. Thus, there are two birthstones for November. The original birthstone was topaz, but citrine was eventually introduced as a less expensive substitute.
Why is citrine the November birthstone?
Citrines have been prized for their remarkable beauty and brilliance throughout history. The warm, sunny sun and the vitality of life were also represented by this birthstone for November. The brilliant yellow tones and multidimensional clarity of the November birthstone are symbolic of a sound mind and body.
What stands for a topaz?
December’s birthstone is topaz, which is also presented in honor of a marriage’s fourth and nineteenth wedding anniversaries. Topaz is a representation of love and affection and is thought to help one be more sweet-natured and good-natured.
What hue does November represent?
The yellow color of the November birthstone is derived from the gemstones yellow-orange Topaz, also known as golden Topaz, and yellow Citrine.
The numerous colored variants of topaz are produced by impurities because pure topaz is essentially transparent. Topaz also occurs in gorgeous colors of blue, pastel green, pink, and red in addition to the yellow to orange spectrum. Since processed colorless topaz predominates in the market, natural blue topaz is quite uncommon.
Imperial Topaz, a brand name for natural golden topaz, is relatively uncommon and not frequently used in jewelry. The gorgeous sunset colors of Mystic Topaz, which is frequently found in November jewelry, are typically created by treating transparent Topaz.
Russian and Brazilian topaz are the most expensive kind used in jewelry, although Brazilian topaz is the only source of imperial topaz.
Topaz or citrine, which is superior?
Imperial topaz is the gem used to commemorate a marriage’s 23rd anniversary, while blue topaz is customarily chosen to honor a couple’s fourth wedding anniversary.
Topaz was regarded to give power to the ancient Greeks, and from the 1300s to the 1600s, it was believed to be able to ward off evil spells and calm rage throughout Europe. For many years, Indians believed that wearing a topaz pendant above the heart would bring about long life, wisdom, and beauty.
All clear yellow, orange, or brown gemstones were referred to as topaz until the turn of the 20th century. As a result, topaz was supposed to have a golden colour and attract wealth and gold to the wearer.
Topaz is quite harda Mohs scale 8but not extremely tough, thus it needs to be cleaned carefully. (Recall that the Mohs’ scale of hardness is used to categorize minerals.) Because topaz is sensitive to high heat, avoid using steam or ultrasonic cleaners on the stone. Topaz should be cleaned with warm, soapy water, advises Southern California-based bespoke jeweler Shmukler Design, to stop cracking.
Topaz is usually stable in the presence of light, but extended exposure to heat or too much sunlight can cause the yellow-to-brown varieties of the gem to lose their color. To be safe, remove the topaz gem when washing jewelry with chemicals. Topaz may also be somewhat impacted by some chemicals.
The handcrafted coating of the Mystic Topaz can survive normal wear, but it does require gentle cleaning. If you have treated your birthstone in this manner, clean it with a gentle soap solution.
Let’s move on to Citrine now:
Citrine is a clear yellow to brownish-orange form of quartz that has been used in jewelry for hundreds of years but wasn’t initially recognized as the birthstone for November. It was initially mistaken for topaz, the other birthstone for November. Citrine is said to have been named after the French word for lemon, citron, as its citrus tints would imply. Instead of lemon, residues of iron are what give the food its yellow to orange color.
Ancient Greeks fashioned citrine into jewellery made of rock crystal, while Roman pontiffs wore rings with enormous amethysts that were likely citrine. In Victorian jewelry, citrine was also quite popular in Scotland, and today, citrine is the customary gift on a 13th wedding anniversary.
Because natural citrine is so rare, the majority of it that is currently available on the market was created by heating amethyst.
Spain, Bolivia, Mexico, Madagascar, and Uruguay are the main exporters of this gemstone for November. Brazil is a popular mining location for amethyst that has been heated to a citrine hue.
Many people originally thought citrine had the same alleged calming properties as November’s second birthstone since it is often confused with topaz. Today, supporters of citrine extol its unique “powers, including fostering individual clarity and creativity and reducing negative inclinations. The qualities of hope, youth, vigor, health, happiness, and fidelity are also considered to be connected to citrine.
Finally, from the second millennium BCE until the end of the Han dynasty in 220 CE, people who lived in China termed citrine the “The emperors of that era believed that wearing the gem helped them develop their minds and sharpen their intellects, and they referred to it as the “stone of success.”
Citrine, which rates a 7 on the Mohs scale, is as hard as topaz, the other November birthstone, but citrine has superior toughness characteristics. Citrine can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and is resilient enough for everyday use. If you’d like, you can clean your citrine jewelry with an ultrasonic cleaner, but since steam cleaning could result in cracks, we strongly advise against it.
Is topaz pricey?
Like any stone, topaz prices vary according to quality. Nevertheless, a few generalizations are possible. The most popular type of topaz used in jewelry today, blue topaz, has been produced in such large numbers that it is now typically sold for $25 per carat at retail for ring sizes. Larger sizes could cost a little extra. Even though treated blue topaz is widely produced, the price of natural blue topaz has practically decreased to match that of the treated stone.
Blue topaz is created (by irradiation and heat) from colorless topaz, which is offered in sizes up to 100 ct and higher and costs less than $8/ct. The cost of brown topaz is comparable.
Contrarily, valuable topaz, often known as “imperial” topaz, can sell for more than $1000 per carat (ct) in big (10 ct+) proportions. Richly colored topaz with a pink or red hue is the most expensive; its retail price can approach $3500/ct. Over 5 ct. sizes of these are uncommon.
What stands for citrine?
Citrines have been prized for their beauty and brilliance throughout history. They serve as a reminder of the vivacity of life and the warm, brilliant sun. Their vivacious yellow hue and brilliant clarity frequently stand in for success and happiness as well as a healthy body and mind.
Is citrine a stone of luck?
Citrine, also referred to as the Lucky Merchant’s Stone, is particularly effective in attracting luck. When it comes to business and financial prosperity, this gemstone will be extremely beneficial. It typically has a yellow hue, and like the sun, it gives you the energy you need to complete and succeed in a money-making endeavor.
Citrine transforms energy, so you can turn poor luck around and attract good fortune. You’ll probably start to notice that you can make money more readily after you have this gemstone in your life. You will be thinking of creative and new ways to bring wealth into your life. Wearing citrine jewelry can also make you feel more giving to others and show you that you get more when you give.
Is topaz or citrine the birthstone for November?
Topaz and citrine are two lovely birthstones that can be worn by people born in November. While topaz is available in a wide range of colours, citrine is renowned for its lovely yellow and orange tones. Both birthstones for November are thought to provide relaxing qualities that also bring luck and warmth to the bearer. Since high-quality gems like topaz and citrine are not as scarce as for many of their contemporaries, these birthstones are often priced reasonably. As a result, people who were born in November have a wide range of alternatives. Choosing one will be your biggest issue.
Who should wear topaz instead?
You shouldn’t wear a topaz gemstone if your ascendant sign is Capricorn, as Jupiter is the ruler of the third house of bravery, siblings, and travel, as well as the 12th house of expenditure and losses.
Jupiter becomes the lord of the second and eleventh houses if you were born with an Aquarius ascendant. In astrology, the second house of donation of riches and the eleventh house of gain are both favorable from a materialistic standpoint. Only during the Jupiter time can people think about wearing topaz jewelry.