The month of November has two gemstones associated with it, Topaz and Citrine. Citrine being the alternative to the traditional Topaz.
Both represent courage, sincerity and wisdom.
If you're born in November, looking for a gift for a November birthday, or just interested in all things gem, read on to find out more about these beautiful stones.
Overview
"Citrine is the traditional birthstone for November and is an alternate Zodiac stone for Scorpio. Citrine jewellery is given as the gemstone gift for the 13th and 17th anniversaries. Citrine is associated with the values of hope, cheerfulness, youth, health, and fidelity.
Citrine is any quartz crystal or cluster that is yellow or orange in colour. Although often cut as a gemstone, citrine is actually somewhat rare in nature. Most citrines on the market have been heat treated. Specimens of low grade, inexpensive amethyst or smoky quartz are often cooked at high temperatures to produce the more profitable orange yellow citrine.
Citrines whose colours have been produced by artificial means tend to have much more of an orange or reddish cast than those found in nature, which are usually a pale yellow. Much of the natural citrine may have started out as amethyst but heat from nearby magmatic bodies may have caused the change to citrine.
Interestingly, a popular gemstone on the market is a mixture of half amethyst and half citrine and is given the name ametrine.
The manufacturer takes an amethyst stone and heats it, which converts it to citrine. He then bombards a portion of the stone with beta radiation which converts citrine back to amethyst. By using a metal mask (possibly in the shape of a heart) to block a portion of the beta radiation, an unusual citrine and amethyst gem is produced.
Unfortunately for citrine it is often confused with the more expensive orange-yellow topaz and is at times sold as topaz by unscrupulous dealers. This practice has soured many potential citrine fanciers who see citrine as a fake topaz and not as a legitimate gemstone. The finest citrine gemstones have a pure yellow colour that cannot be duplicated by golden topaz, which will always have hues of orange or brown to darken the gem."
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These gems are found all over the Earth with Brazil being the biggest producer. Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, Japan, USA and Sri Lanka are also places that produce these stones.
They are also found in Scotland so keep your eyes peeled!
History
Topaz
"Yellow gems have been called variations of the name Topaz for thousands of years – long before mineralogists determined that Topaz occurs in a range of colours and that many yellowish stones actually belong to other mineral species.
Ancient texts from the Greek scholar Pliny to the King James Bible referenced Topaz, but because of this longstanding confusion, they likely referred to other yellow stones instead.
During the Renaissance in Europe, people believed that Topaz could break spells and quell anger. Hindus deemed topaz sacred, believing that a pendant could bring wisdom and longevity to one’s life. African shamans also treated the stone as sacred, using it in their healing rituals.
Russia’s Ural Mountains became a leading source of Topaz in the 19th century. The prized pinkish orange gemstone mined there was named Imperial Topaz to honour the Russian Czar, and only royals were allowed to own it.
Since the discovery of large Topaz deposits in Brazil in the mid-19th century, Topaz has become much more affordable and widely available.
Processes were developed in the 1960s to turn common colourless Topaz blue with irradiation treatment. This variety has since flooded the market, making it one of the least expensive gems available.
Light blue varieties of Topaz can be found in Texas, though not commercially mined there. Blue Topaz became an official gemstone of Texas in 1969—the same year Utah adopted Topaz as its state gemstone.
Citrine
"Citrine quartz has been adored since ancient times. The name Citrine was used to refer to yellow gems as early as 1385, when the word was first recorded in English. However, since the gem’s colour closely resembled Topaz, these two November birthstones shared a history of mistaken identities.
Quartz and Topaz are actually unrelated mineral species. But before these differences were clear, many cultures called Citrine (the yellow variety of quartz) by other names like gold Topaz, Madeira or Spanish Topaz contributing to the confusion.
Throughout history, people believed that Citrine carried the same powers as Topaz, including the ability to calm tempers, soothe anger and manifest desires, especially prosperity. To leverage these powers, Egyptians used citrine gems as talismans, the ancient Greeks carved iconic images into them, and Roman priests fashioned them into rings.
A key discovery gave Citrine a boost of popularity in the mid-18th century. Mineralogists realized that amethyst and smoky quartz could be heat treated to produce lemony and golden honey hues of Citrine, contributing to an abundance of affordable enhanced gems on the market.
Once Citrine was distinguished from Topaz, it quickly became popular in women’s jewellery as well as men’s cufflinks and rings. Today, it remains one of the most affordable and frequently purchased yellow gemstones."
How to buy
Topaz
"Topaz is a traditional gift for those with November birthdays. It’s also given to celebrate 19th wedding anniversaries, and certain types (blue and Imperial, respectively) acknowledge 4th and 23rd wedding anniversaries, as well.
Since Topaz was recognized as more than just a yellow gem, it has become fairly common and therefore rather inexpensive. It can be judged along the same parameters as diamonds. In fact, colourless Topaz is increasingly popular as an inexpensive diamond alternative.
When buying Topaz, realize that this gem is most often treated with irradiation to produce desirable colours—particularly blue. Because these processes so closely resemble how Topaz forms in nature, there is practically no way to determine whether a stone has been treated. Visit a jeweller who can help you select a quality gem.
Imperial Topaz is the most highly prized for its intense reddish orange colour. Yellow, orange and brown stones are more common and less expensive - although these can be treated with heat to enhance the pink and red hues.
In smaller sizes, this gem is fairly inexpensive. Not only is it affordable, but also available in such a wide range of colours, that it’s easy for everyone to find Topaz that fits their tastes – whether or not they get to claim it as their birthstone.
Citrine
"Whether shopping for a November birthday, a 13th wedding anniversary, or just an affordable piece of jewellery to complement any style, Citrine makes a perfect gift.
Citrine is one of the most affordable and abundant gemstones on the market. Even fine, large gems are modestly priced, which means everyone can find Citrine to fit their budget.
These gems can be evaluated by the same factors as diamonds. Because the majority of Citrine gems on the market have been heat treated—and because it takes an expert to detect these enhancements—it’s wise to shop with a qualified jeweller who can help you choose the best gem.
The finest Citrine gems are saturated with yellow, orange and reddish hues, while stones of lower value appear pale or smoky. Earth-tones of amber brown are also increasingly popular.
Because these colours are rare in nature, most Citrine is created by heating less expensive varieties of quartz, including amethyst and smoky quartz, to produce yellow gems. Most Citrine on the market has been heat treated.
Citrine is readily available in sizes up to 20 carats - and, because its price doesn’t rise exponentially with carat weight, big gems are relatively inexpensive.
At its largest, Citrine can weigh hundreds and even thousands of carats, like a Brazilian stone at the Smithsonian Institution weighing 2,258 carats.
Thanks to the abundance of large Citrine, and the treatment methods that turn less expensive stones into this yellow gem, it’s easy to find citrine at a good price."
See more from the original source, here...
So there you have it, we hope you got some useful information and hope to see you in our store on Kirkcaldy High Street when you're looking for a gift to treat yourself or for a November born friend!
All about Topaz and Citrine, the November birthstones. is courtesy of A.K. Campbell & Sons
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