November Birthstones - Topaz and Citrine
What is not to love about either of these amazing birthstones.
TOPAZ
Topaz occurs naturally in a variety of hues, including colourless, light blue, yellow, orange, pink, violet, brown, and very rarely, red. Blue topaz is mostly the result of treating colourless topaz with irradiation and heating. The rainbow effect of "Mystic Topaz" is obtained by coating colourless topaz with an artificial thin film.
The word "topaz" may have originated from the Sanskrit "tapas," meaning "fire," or the Greek "topazos." The November birthstone has been believed to possess many benefits over the centuries. Ancient Greeks believed it gave them strength, while Europeans from the 1300s to the 1600s thought it could dispel anger and thwart magic spells. Many people in India have also worn topaz above the heart for long life, beauty, and intelligence.
The Imperial topaz, with its distinctive pinkish-orange hue, is associated with aristocracy. The name is believed to have originated from the Russian royal family's desire to keep the finest colours of this gem, which was mined in Russia's Ural Mountains, exclusively for their use. Another explanation is that it dates back to an 1881 visit by Brazilian Emperor Pedro II to Ouro Preto, the town closest to Brazil's most productive topaz mines, where he was gifted a reddish topaz.
Blue topaz is the gem of the fourth wedding anniversary, while Imperial topaz is the gem of the 23rd wedding anniversary.
CITRINE
The November birthstone is a type of transparent quartz that ranges from yellow to brownish orange, known as citrine. This gemstone has been used in jewellery for many centuries and was highly regarded in ancient times. Like topaz, the other November birthstone, citrine has also been subject to mistaken identities, and was thought to possess similar powers. It was believed that wearing the citrine birthstone could calm the wearer's temper.
Throughout history, citrine has been used to create beautiful jewellery pieces. The ancient Greeks crafted ornaments from rock crystal that sparkled like permafrost, while Roman pontiffs donned rings with large purple amethysts. Citrine was also a popular gemstone in Victorian-era Scottish jewellery. The name "citrine" is believed to come from the French word for "lemon" (citron) and is associated with the thirteenth wedding anniversary.
Today, most of the citrine available on the market is produced by heating amethyst. This treatment makes citrine readily available in a wide range of sizes, making it one of the most affordable and sought-after yellow gemstones.
