Collection: NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE

The variety’s name derives from the French word citron, which means lemon, about the stone’s lemon-yellow shade. Citrine got its name after the ancient Greek word chrysoberyl which means ‘gold containing’. 

Citrine has been in use for a long time and it was especially commonly used by the Greeks in making ornaments. Beautiful Citrine gemstone was used in the Roman Empire period in jewelry and in the Middle Ages it was protected from evil and snake venom.

Citrine was widely used in the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s when its clear, bright orange-sickle color was perfect for use in geometric-looking designs. Generally, officials wore it, and due to its widespread use in rings, brooches, and necklaces, it became popular to be associated with prosperity.

Topaz is the second birthstone associated with November and is best known for its clarity and availability in a wide range of colors from lightly yellow to deep blue. This gemstone is called Love Affection and Wisdom gemstone because it is highly sought after for use in transformation and emotional healing. Topaz relates to the sun and fire and it is said to charge creativity and clarity of the mind. As it exists in its raw form or the form when it undergoes certain treatments, Topaz is timeless.

Topaz is traditionally associated with people born between November 1 and November 21 or Scorpio, though it is sometimes linked with Sagittarius. Topaz has attributes that sweeten life, wisdom, and enlightenment, they all mean that this gemstone is good to encourage one to speak out and embrace positive energies in life.

Topaz is on the list of precious stones, and it was already known in the time of the ancient world. The origin of the name Topaz which is said to have been derived from the Sanskrit word Tapas which means ‘fire’ is said to be a result of the stones' fiery hue. Topaz is considered to be very strong and many warriors involved in wars used this gemstone to boost strength and energy.

It was in the Middle Ages that Topaz was held to possess curative qualities for diseases of the heart and brain. In the course of history, Topaz has been associated with royal gems and nobility being incorporated into the regalia of monarchs. It was worn in complex designs of jewelry during the Renaissance period and today Topaz is one of the best-known traditional jewels of modern design.

Citrine is probably most famous for its warm hue which is very hard to come by in other quartz gems ranging from light yellow to deep amber.

Color:

Today there are citrine and citrine quartz in all shades of yellow from lemon yellow to a very deep amber-like color. This color is a result of Iron ions replacing silicon or being included within the Quartz crystal structure.

Clarity:

Citrine is usually translucent to transparent with very rare or no imperfections; thus, it is ideal for use in jewelry. It is clear and this enables it to reflect light as it is supposed to do.

Cut:

The citrine comes in many different shapes such as round; oval, pear, and emerald shape. It is cut to achieve a splendid bright and well-handled depth of coloration.

Luster:

Citrine is clear, and it is birefringent, and it is characterized by having a vitreous luster when fashioned; that is, it has a shiny glass-like look.

The color range of topaz is well known as being rich and many-colored.

Color:

Topaz comes in a number of colors— yellow, blue, pink, green, and even colorless. The most frequently encountered sort of Topaz is a yellow gold specialty; however, blue Topaz is extremely wanted, as it came to be a brilliant blue through treatment.

Clarity:

Topaz is usually transparent and highly clear, so suitable for cutting and faceting. Its clarity lets it reflect light well and give a nice sparkling effect.

Cut:

Usually cut in the shapes of oval, pear, or cushion, topaz can also be cut into unique and custom cuts to maximize its brilliance.

Luster:

Panning topaz has a vitreous luster--it looks glassy when the rock is polished.

Citrine as a gemstone is also valued for the beauty of such stones, as well as for their density and warm and at the same time, bright color.

Hardness:

Clarity stands at 7 in hardness as measured by the Mohs scale hence it is a good gemstone that may be used in jewelry. It is anti-scratch, and anti-chip, but should as far as possible not be exposed to rough knocks and blows.

Composition:

Citrine is one of the quartz that was created as the result of the influence of the presence of iron in it. Heat-treated Citrine is much more common than natural Citrine; many Citrine coming into the gem trade today are treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Stability:

Citrine is, very hard-wearing, but will change color when subjected to heat & or light for a long time.

Along with durability, another gemstone prized for its brilliance is Topaz.

Hardness:

Topaz is an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness which makes it a perfect jewel to wear on an everyday basis and for durable jewelry pieces.

Composition:

Topaz is a silicon and fluorine-based chemical known for its hardness and brilliance. The blue and golden varieties are the popular ones but, it is typically found in igneous rocks.

Stability:

Topaz is stable and hard throughout, but is delicate in heat and careful handling while cleaning, or when exposed to extreme temperatures.

Healing is a concept that is intrinsic to any kind of gemstone and here too the stone is claimed to possess several healing qualities.

Citrine is also called ‘the merchant’s stone’ or ‘the success stone’ because of the attributes allegedly associated with it that help to attract wealth and success. Apart from the economic benefits, Citrine is believed to have the following healing properties:

Emotional Healing 

• According to the definition provided by many, citrine holds the properties of happiness, positivity, and energy for the holder. 
• It was believed to chase away negativity and promote happiness; that is why it is used and recommended for patients with depression, anxiety, or stress.

Physical Healing

• Citrine is associated with digestive disorders, regulation of metabolism, and boost of physical strength. 
• The plant is considered useful for the endocrine system and in conditions such as problems with the kidney, bladder, thyroid, and goiter.

Spiritual Healing

• In terms of spirituality, Citrine helps to open the solar plexus chakra, which is responsible for personal power, confidence, and worth. 
• Some theories ascribe to it properties of stimulating the activeness of the imagination and favoring the materialization of ideas and visions.

Citrine is located in many areas of the world with certain parts of the world having given the gemstone the reputation for formulating superior quality gems.

Brazil:

Brazil is also a big citrine producer, however only in two of the regions — Rio Grande do Sul and Minas Gerais. Natural occurrences of Citrine, heat-treated amethysts, and smoky quartz of good quality are famous.

Spain:

Up until recently, Spain was supplying this market with Citrine first and foremost, and Spanish Citrine had traditionally been particularly well-known for its depth of tone and transparency.

Madagascar:

Madagascar is another country where Citrine is produced and most of the Citrine stones that are found on the market vary between light yellow to dark orange.

Russia:

For the first several centuries, until the mid-19th century, the stone was mined in the Ural Mountains and continued to be supplied by Russia.

Topaz is also found in several parts of the world, with notable deposits in the following regions:

Brazil:

Topaz is a major source from Brazil and especially from the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia where large, clear crystals are found.

Sri Lanka:

Topaz is a beautiful idler, Sri Lanka colored colorless' or blue, being found in gemstone-rich lands of the island.

Pakistan:

Blue and yellow varieties of topaz are also known from Pakistan, and these, plus the colorless variety, are mined in the Hunza Valley.

Russia:

Russian Topaz, extracted from the Ural Mountains, was long considered of superior quality and is known also for its high clarity and color.

How many colors does a birthstone made of Citrine and Topaz come in?

Citrine can take a wide array of colors in the range from light yellow to dark brown, from honey to orange and gold. Topaz is available in yellow, blue, pink, and colorless.

Can Citrine and Topaz be worn every day?

Citrine and Topaz are both durable gemstones… yes. Topaz is a little harder at 8 and Citrine is about 7. But both should be protected from shocks and extremes of temperature.

What are the benefits of Citrine and Topaz?

The key properties of Citrine are prosperity, success, and emotional healing. Topaz encourages emotional balance, self-confidence, and self-control and promotes physical well-being.