November Birthstones: Topaz and Citrine
November Birthstones: Topaz and Citrine
The term "birthstone" refers to gemstones which are connected to the date, in this case, month of your birth.
Ancient people believed that one’s birth held a very important and sacred significance and that such a date brought either a good future or a not so good one. Birthstones played an important part in ancient societies for they provided the wearer with good luck, good health, good fortune, good life and all these other physical and spiritual benefits, such as protection from curses, witchcraft, negative energy and evil forces in general.
Topaz and Citrine are the birthstones for those born in November. Worthy of note is the fact that Topaz and Citrine are also the Zodiac gemstones for the Zodiac signs of Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) and Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21).
Topaz comes in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, red, pink, and blue. It can also be colorless and is an excellent substitute for diamonds.
Though it is very rare to find a natural blue Topaz, the colorless Topaz can be irradiated to achieve lovely blue colors. These blues come with trade names such as Swiss Blue, London Blue, Super Blue, and Maxi Blue.
Champagne Topaz can be confused with Smokey Quartz. However, Topaz is pleochroic which means that it shows different colors if viewed from different angles.
Yellow Topaz was known to the ancient Egyptians and was the representation of the sun god Ra, and was fashioned into talisman and amulet for protection.
What are usually used for the November Birthstone are either Imperial Topaz or Precious Topaz.
Imperial Topaz is the orange colored Topaz that has red dichroism, meaning that if you tilt the gemstone to the light, it can appear red or orange. Imperial Topaz also comes in yellow, pink, red, lavender-pink and peach-pink colors and Brazil is the number one exporter.
Precious Topaz is an intensely yellow variety of Topaz. Yellow Topaz can be heat treated to create pink Topaz.
Citrine, on the other hand, comes in colors ranging from pale yellow to brownish red.
It is part of the Quartz family. The most sought after is the Madeira Citrine which has a gorgeous golden-yellow color.
Citrine is most likely derived from the Latin term Citrus referring to the Citron tree, or the Old French Citrin which stands for lemon color. Both terms point to citrus fruits which often come in yellow or orange colors.
Citrine was loved by the ancient Greeks who used it as precious gemstone in amulets.
In the 17th century Scotland, it was used to decorate the handles of daggers. It also became the decorative stone for Scottish shoulder brooches as well as kilt pins. Citrine was the loved gemstone of Queen Victoria.
Citrine and Amethyst share the same chemical properties and are found alongside each other in the same mines. Purple Amethyst becomes golden-brown Citrine when heated naturally or synthetically. Deposits of Citrine can be found in Brazil as well as in Bolivia, Uruguay, Madagascar, Scotland, Namibia, Spain, Russia, Argentina, Myanmar and the United States.
Citrine can be found in many different sizes and can be fashioned into many shapes and forms and can be faceted.
Topaz metaphysical properties include vitality and power. It is a powerful stone for protection against curses and black magic. Wearing topaz as a necklace ensures beauty, long life, good health and luck. To protect one's self from black magic, it is recommended to wear Topaz amulet either in a ring or in a bracelet. It is believed to bring calm and inner peace to the wearer, induce good sleep and rid of nightmares.
Topaz can help to manifest good health and well being. It also relieves any eating disorders like anorexia. In the past, Topaz was also used to treat depression and anxiety.
Citrine is believed to be able to channel the power of the sun. Just like the light of the morning sun, it brings joy, hope and a sense of renewal. It transforms negative mood into a positive one. Citrine resonates warm and loving kindness energy and is thought to give strength, courage and intelligence.
Citrine is great to prevent any problems with the thyroid gland.
Citrine which is a variety of quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. It is sensitive to abrupt changes in temperature and can fracture very easily in such thermal shock. If exposed to prolonged light, it can cause the rich color to fade. Acids such as those found in rust removers can damage Citrine permanently. It is becoming a trend to use Citrine in engagement rings.
Topaz has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale. However, it has a perfect cleavage which makes it easy fragile. This is the reason why Topaz rings come in a protective metal mounting. Like Citrine, Topaz is also sensitive to abrupt changes in temperature. However, household chemicals and acids do not have an effect on it.
To cleanse your November Birthstones simply use warm water with soap and a soft cloth or brush.
Citrine and Topaz are very affordable gemstones. However, prices fluctuate from inexpensive Pink Mystic Topaz to the high-end orange Brazilian Imperial Topaz.
Secondary November birthstones include the Pearl. Scorpio and Sagittarius zodiac gemstones also gave their own gemstone, this we will deal in another paper.
The term "birthstone" refers to gemstones which are connected to the date, in this case, month of your birth.
Ancient people believed that one’s birth held a very important and sacred significance and that such a date brought either a good future or a not so good one. Birthstones played an important part in ancient societies for they provided the wearer with good luck, good health, good fortune, good life and all these other physical and spiritual benefits, such as protection from curses, witchcraft, negative energy and evil forces in general.
Topaz and Citrine are the birthstones for those born in November. Worthy of note is the fact that Topaz and Citrine are also the Zodiac gemstones for the Zodiac signs of Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) and Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21).
Topaz comes in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, red, pink, and blue. It can also be colorless and is an excellent substitute for diamonds.
Though it is very rare to find a natural blue Topaz, the colorless Topaz can be irradiated to achieve lovely blue colors. These blues come with trade names such as Swiss Blue, London Blue, Super Blue, and Maxi Blue.
Champagne Topaz can be confused with Smokey Quartz. However, Topaz is pleochroic which means that it shows different colors if viewed from different angles.
Yellow Topaz was known to the ancient Egyptians and was the representation of the sun god Ra, and was fashioned into talisman and amulet for protection.
What are usually used for the November Birthstone are either Imperial Topaz or Precious Topaz.
Imperial Topaz is the orange colored Topaz that has red dichroism, meaning that if you tilt the gemstone to the light, it can appear red or orange. Imperial Topaz also comes in yellow, pink, red, lavender-pink and peach-pink colors and Brazil is the number one exporter.
Precious Topaz is an intensely yellow variety of Topaz. Yellow Topaz can be heat treated to create pink Topaz.
Citrine, on the other hand, comes in colors ranging from pale yellow to brownish red.
It is part of the Quartz family. The most sought after is the Madeira Citrine which has a gorgeous golden-yellow color.
Citrine is most likely derived from the Latin term Citrus referring to the Citron tree, or the Old French Citrin which stands for lemon color. Both terms point to citrus fruits which often come in yellow or orange colors.
Citrine was loved by the ancient Greeks who used it as precious gemstone in amulets.
In the 17th century Scotland, it was used to decorate the handles of daggers. It also became the decorative stone for Scottish shoulder brooches as well as kilt pins. Citrine was the loved gemstone of Queen Victoria.
Citrine and Amethyst share the same chemical properties and are found alongside each other in the same mines. Purple Amethyst becomes golden-brown Citrine when heated naturally or synthetically. Deposits of Citrine can be found in Brazil as well as in Bolivia, Uruguay, Madagascar, Scotland, Namibia, Spain, Russia, Argentina, Myanmar and the United States.
Citrine can be found in many different sizes and can be fashioned into many shapes and forms and can be faceted.
Topaz metaphysical properties include vitality and power. It is a powerful stone for protection against curses and black magic. Wearing topaz as a necklace ensures beauty, long life, good health and luck. To protect one's self from black magic, it is recommended to wear Topaz amulet either in a ring or in a bracelet. It is believed to bring calm and inner peace to the wearer, induce good sleep and rid of nightmares.
Topaz can help to manifest good health and well being. It also relieves any eating disorders like anorexia. In the past, Topaz was also used to treat depression and anxiety.
Citrine is believed to be able to channel the power of the sun. Just like the light of the morning sun, it brings joy, hope and a sense of renewal. It transforms negative mood into a positive one. Citrine resonates warm and loving kindness energy and is thought to give strength, courage and intelligence.
Citrine is great to prevent any problems with the thyroid gland.
Citrine which is a variety of quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. It is sensitive to abrupt changes in temperature and can fracture very easily in such thermal shock. If exposed to prolonged light, it can cause the rich color to fade. Acids such as those found in rust removers can damage Citrine permanently. It is becoming a trend to use Citrine in engagement rings.
Topaz has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale. However, it has a perfect cleavage which makes it easy fragile. This is the reason why Topaz rings come in a protective metal mounting. Like Citrine, Topaz is also sensitive to abrupt changes in temperature. However, household chemicals and acids do not have an effect on it.
To cleanse your November Birthstones simply use warm water with soap and a soft cloth or brush.
Citrine and Topaz are very affordable gemstones. However, prices fluctuate from inexpensive Pink Mystic Topaz to the high-end orange Brazilian Imperial Topaz.
Secondary November birthstones include the Pearl. Scorpio and Sagittarius zodiac gemstones also gave their own gemstone, this we will deal in another paper.