November Birthstone
The November birthstones are topaz and citrine, giving November babies a wealth of beautiful options to choose from. Topaz comes in every color of the rainbow, while citrine can be found in a range of vibrant yellow to orange tones. Discover what these two gems have to offer as we detail everything you need to know about the November birthstones.
November Birthstone Characteristics
Topaz is a silicate mineral that comes in a stunning array of colors. Topaz is naturally colorless, but it easily takes on color when exposed to impurities or certain elemental conditions. Topaz can be blue, yellow, pink, violet, orange, brown, or red. Because topaz changes color so easily, much of the topaz sold today has been treated to change or improve its color.
Topaz is quite a hard gemstone, ranking at an 8 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Yet, due to its molecular structure, it is more likely to break after being struck than similarly hard gemstones. To protect topaz jewelry, always remove it before doing vigorous activities and never steam clean it, as that can cause internal breaks.
Citrine is the yellow variety of quartz. This sunny gemstone can range from pale yellow to brownish orange in color. As with topaz, much of the citrine sold today has been treated for color. Natural citrine is more rare than two other varieties of quartz, amethyst and smoky quartz, which are often heat treated to create citrine.
Citrine earns a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, so it is durable and good for everyday wear. However, citrine can be scratched by harder gemstones, such as diamonds, sapphires, and topaz. Be sure to store citrine away from harder gems to avoid accidentally scratching it.
November Birthstone Meaning and History
The word “topaz” is thought to be from either the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire, or the Greek word topazos, meaning precious green stone. While we don’t know the exact origin of the word topaz, we do know that this enchanting gemstone has been loved around the world for hundreds of years. Ancient Greeks believed that topaz brought strength to the wearer, while people in Medieval Europe thought it could break spells. For many years in India, people believed that wearing topaz above one’s heart would foster beauty, intelligence, and a long life.
In the modern era, topaz is associated with royalty and aristocracy. This is in large part due to the Russian royal family’s affinity for the gem. Fine topaz was abundant in Russia in the 1800s, but the very best gemstones were always reserved for the royal family. In addition to being associated with royalty, topaz is a symbol of health, wealth, and self-trust. It’s also the traditional gift for the 4th and the 23rd wedding anniversaries.
The word “citrine” comes from the French word citron, meaning lemon. This yellow stone has been loved for its cheerful sparkle since ancient times. Ancient Greek people carved ornaments out of citrine, while the Romans wore it in jewelry. Notably, citrine was extremely popular in the Victorian era, when it was a favorite gem of Queen Victoria.
Citrine looks very similar to yellow topaz, so people often mixed up the two throughout history. As a result, citrine shares many of the same meanings. In addition to being associated with strength and protection like topaz, citrine has been thought to have a soothing effect on the wearer.
In modern times, citrine is a very popular stone for crystal healing. Citrine is strongly associated with health and has been called “healing quartz.” Citrine is also thought to attract money and happiness, and it is the traditional gift for the 13th wedding anniversary.
November Birthstone Jewelry Gift Ideas
Shopping for someone with a classic sense of style? Choose these timeless white topaz stud earrings.
With a .65 carat pear cut citrine and white topaz accents, this sparkling pendant necklace sports both of November’s birthstones.
Sleek and shimmering, this sterling silver and white topaz necklace is a sophisticated birthstone gift option.
This eye-catching birthstone ring can be worn alone or mixed in with a stylish ring stack.
Simple yet vibrant, these citrine earrings will add a cheerful pop of color to any look.
Traditional vs. Modern November Birthstones
Over the years, the birthstone associated with November has changed. The traditional birthstone for November is topaz. Then, there are two modern birthstones for November: citrine and a specific variety of topaz, golden topaz.
If you’re not sure whether you want to wear a modern or traditional birthstone for November, consider what you’re looking for in terms of color. Both of the modern birthstone options share the same sunny golden yellow hue, while the traditional November birthstone comes in every color. If you love yellow gemstones, go with one of the modern options. If you’re looking for something else, consider traditional topaz.
| MODERN | TRADITIONAL | |
| JANUARY | GARNET | GARNET |
| FEBRUARY | AMETHYST | AMETHYST |
| MARCH | AQUAMARINE | BLOODSTONE |
| APRIL | DIAMOND | DIAMOND |
| MAY | EMERALD | EMERALD |
| JUNE | ALEXANDRITE | PEARL |
| JULY | RUBY | RUBY |
| AUGUST |
PERIDOT SPINEL |
SARDONYX |
| SEPTEMBER | SAPPHIRE | SAPPHIRE |
| OCTOBER | TOURMALINE | OPAL |
| NOVEMBER | GOLDEN TOPAZ CITRINE |
TOPAZ |
| DECEMBER | BLUE ZIRCON BLUE TOPAZ TANZANITE |
TURQUOISE LAPIS LAZULI |
November Birthstone Jewelry at Frank Jewelers
Find a birthday gift they’ll treasure. Click the link below to explore our full selection of citrine and topaz jewelry.