The birthstone for the month of November has historically been topaz. However, some modern lists include the yellow quartz variety citrine as an alternate November birthstone. So which is correct – is the November birthstone topaz or citrine? There has been some confusion over the years, but the history and tradition of birthstones ultimately point to topaz being the primary November birthstone.
What are birthstones?
Birthstones are gemstones that represent each month of the year. The origins of birthstones trace back thousands of years to ancient civilizations. Many cultures assigned various gems and minerals to different months based on astrology and beliefs about their healing powers. Over time, the tradition of birthstones spread and became popular in cultures worldwide.
Wearing or gifting birthstones is thought by some to bring good luck, prosperity, and health to the wearer. Each birthstone is associated with certain symbolic meanings and personal qualities. People often feel a special connection to their birthstone.
While birthstones are based in legend and folklore, they remain a fun and popular custom today. The modern list of birthstones was standardized in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers. This helped settle confusion over conflicting birthstone lists and assigned each month a primary and sometimes alternate birthstone.
History of November’s birthstone
The traditional and historic birthstone for November has been topaz. One of the oldest references to topaz as November’s birthstone dates back to the mid-18th century. In a 1750 publication, topaz was definitively listed as the birthstone for November.
Well before that, ancient civilizations prized topaz and associated it with the sun. The Egyptians believed topaz was colored by the golden glow of the sun god Ra. The ancient Greeks and Romans also connected topaz to the sun, believing it helped renew and heal. Through these solar connections, topaz took on meanings of vitality and health.
Over the centuries, many cultures have recognized topaz as the traditional November gem. In 1912, when the American National Association of Jewelers standardized the modern birthstone list, they selected topaz as the official November birthstone. This formalized its place as the prime birthstone for this month.
When did citrine enter the picture?
Citrine started appearing as an alternate November birthstone in the mid-20th century. In 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council of America updated the modern birthstone list from 1912. For the first time, they designated citrine as an additional November birthstone alongside topaz.
Why was citrine added as a secondary choice? One reason was its resemblance to topaz. Both stones occur in similar warm golden-yellow to orange-brown hues. The yellow variety of quartz known as citrine can appear very topaz-like to the untrained eye.
This led to some confusion between the similar yellow gems in the jewelry trade. Listing citrine provided an alternate option that still evoked November’s golden-hued birthstones. Adding citrine also gave those born in November a more affordable birthstone option. Natural citrine is widely available at lower costs than natural topaz.
Is citrine a true form of quartz?
Citrine is a variety of the mineral quartz, which makes up a significant portion of the Earth’s crust. Natural citrine is formed when trace amounts of iron are present during quartz crystal formation. The iron acts as a chromophore, the element responsible for citrine’s yellow to orange coloration.
While natural citrine is scarce, most commercial citrine is created by heat treating other varieties of quartz, like amethyst. The high heat drives off the iron, altering the crystal structure and turning it yellow or orange. Heated citrine has the same physical and chemical properties as natural citrine and remains a genuine form of quartz.
| Quartz Variety | Color Caused By | Natural or Heat Treated |
|---|---|---|
| Amethyst | Trace iron | Natural |
| Citrine | Trace iron | Natural |
| Smoky Quartz | Natural radiation | Natural |
| Citrine | Heat treated amethyst | Heat treated |
So while abundant commercial citrine is created through heating, it remains a valid form of quartz and classified as citrine.
November birthstone qualities
As the traditional and modern November birthstone, topaz carries meanings of health, fidelity, friendship, and vitality. Its golden yellow color is associated with the warmth and light of the sun.
Citrine, as the alternate November birthstone, shares some symbolic meanings with topaz. Its bright yellow and orange hues also evoke the sun and vitality. As a variety of quartz, citrine additionally takes on energetic qualities associated with quartz crystals.
Here is a comparison of the qualities associated with November’s two birthstones:
| Birthstone | Qualities and Meanings |
|---|---|
| Topaz | – Vitality and health – Wisdom and mental clarity – Friendship – Fidelity and faithfulness – Power and influence – Calming, reassuring energy |
| Citrine | – Vitality and energizing – Creativity and inspiration – Willpower and confidence – Wealth and prosperity – Clear thinking and happiness – Protection and alignment |
While they share some similarities, each November birthstone offers its own unique symbolic meanings and personal qualities.
How are topaz and citrine different?
Despite the similar golden-yellow hues, topaz and citrine are quite different gemstones in terms of chemistry, formation, and other qualities:
Composition
– Topaz is aluminum fluorosilicate, with a chemical formula of Al2SiO4(F,OH)2.
– Citrine is silicon dioxide, with a chemical formula of SiO2. It is a macrocrystalline variety of the mineral quartz.
Hardness
– Topaz has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale.
– Citrine has a hardness of 7, typical of quartz minerals.
Formation
– Natural topaz forms deep underground from fluorine-bearing vapors given off by volcanoes and pegmatites.
– Natural citrine is formed when amethyst or smoky quartz are heated or have iron impurities present. Most commercial citrine is heat treated amethyst.
Deposits
– Major sources of topaz are in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Australia.
– Citrine sources include Brazil, Bolivia, Spain, Russia, France, Madagascar, and the United States.
So while their golden hues are comparable, citrine and topaz have distinct compositions, structures, and formations that make them clearly separate gem varieties.
Which is more expensive and rare?
Natural topaz tends to be far more rare and valuable than citrine. Fine gem quality topaz over one carat can run between $100 to $500 per carat. Meanwhile, commercial citrine is abundant and inexpensive, typically selling for less than $10 per carat.
Part of citrine’s affordability comes from the abundance of heat treated stones. Heating is a standard process used to transform low-cost amethyst into citrine. While heating creates quality citrine, abundant supply keeps prices low.
On the other hand, natural topaz is found in far fewer deposits and quantities. This scarcity increases topaz’s value, making fine gems quite expensive, especially at larger carat sizes. Flawless topaz over 5 carats can sell for over $1,000 per carat.
So when it comes to rarity and cost, citrine tends to be much more affordable, while natural topaz is far more precious and priced higher.
Which is more popular as a birthstone?
Despite having over a century of history as November’s birthstone, topaz has been surpassed in popularity by the alternate birthstone citrine. A few key reasons account for citrine’s rise as the preferred November birthstone:
– Affordability: With its low cost and wide availability, citrine is much more accessible for anyone looking for a November birthstone. Topaz quickly becomes expensive for larger gemstones.
– Appearance: Citrine’s golden yellow perfectly fits the desired look for a November birthstone. Many consumers are unaware that it differs from topaz.
– Durability: With a hardness of 7, citrine is durable for jewelry wear. Topaz at 8 is slightly tougher, but citrine remains very wearable.
– Marketing: Citrine has been widely promoted and embraced as a November birthstone by retailers and jewelry brands.
– Variety: Having two birthstone options allows more choices for personal taste and budgets.
For these reasons, citrine has surged in November birthstone popularity and sales despite topaz’s long history in the role. But topaz remains an iconic, traditional choice still valued by many.
How to tell topaz from citrine
For jewelers and gemologists, telling citrine and topaz apart is straightforward. Laboratory testing can confirm their composition and properties instantly. But for average consumers, these stones can appear identical.
Here are some visible ways to tell citrine from topaz without advanced tools:
Color
– Citrine ranges from pale yellow to deep orange-brown. Natural citrine is rare, while heated amethyst produces most affordable gems.
– Topaz also spans from light yellow to deeper amber hues. Blue topaz turns yellow-orange when heated. Natural colors are costlier.
Clarity
– Citrine usually has very few inclusions, so it often appears clean to the eye. Cloudiness suggests unnatural color.
– Topaz can have visible flaws depending on grade. Under magnification, inclusions are usually visible.
Cut
– Citrine has excellent cleavage, so faceted cuts with sharp angles are common.
– Topaz has good cleavage, but facets may be rounded due to its hardness. Step cuts are also popular.
Size
– Large citrines over 5 carats are affordable and common.
– Fine topaz over 5 carats is far more rare and expensive.
Settings
– Synthetic stones may be found in inexpensive settings.
– Natural topaz is typically set in good quality, precious metal settings.
There are no guarantees without lab testing, but these tips can help identify characteristics consistent with real citrine or topaz. An experienced jeweler can also help tell these golden gems apart.
Can citrine substitute for topaz?
As a less expensive, abundantly available gem, citrine makes an excellent substitute for topaz in jewelry. Here are some ways citrine can stand in for topaz:
– November birthstone: As an official alternate for November, citrine makes a topaz birthstone substitute.
– Engagement rings: Citrine’s golden hue works nicely in vintage-inspired engagement rings, just like topaz.
– Statement rings: Large citrine cocktail rings deliver bold style similar to topaz statement pieces.
– Necklaces: Yellow citrine pendants or bezels are stunning replacements for topaz necklaces.
– Earrings: For yellow gemstone earrings, citrine studs make a budget-friendly match to topaz.
– Bracelets: Citrine tennis bracelets mimic the look of more expensive topaz bracelets for far less.
Thanks to its shared golden tones, durability, and affordability, citrine can easily take the place of topaz in all types of jewelry. When an affordable stand-in is needed, citrine is the most topaz-like alternative.
Should I choose citrine or topaz?
So which November birthstone is right for you, citrine or topaz? Consider the following when selecting between these sunny gems:
– Choose citrine for a brightly colored, budget-friendly birthstone or jewelry piece with minimal inclusions.
– Select topaz for a more prestigious, expensive stone with exceptional clarity and color grades.
– If customization is desired, citrine’s affordability allows bigger gems or unique cuts.
– If symbolism is important, choose topaz for its long history and spiritual meanings.
– For an engagement ring, topaz’s hardness makes it more durable for daily wear.
– As a gift, citrine’s lower cost means a bigger gem for less money compared to topaz.
For the perfect balance of quality, beauty and affordability, gemological lab created citrine offers the best qualities of topaz and citrine in one stone. Synthetic manufacturing produces stunning yellow citrine impossible to find in natural stones.
In the end, choosing citrine or topaz comes down to personal preference, budget, and intended use for the November birthstone. Let quality, symbolism and style guide you to your perfect gem.
Conclusion
While citrine has become a popular alternate birthstone, the traditional and historic November birthstone remains topaz. First associated with November in the 18th century, topaz has adorned the month of November for over 250 years in many cultures worldwide.
But with the addition of citrine as a modern option, November babies now have two beautiful sunny gems to choose from. Topaz honors tradition with its globals symbolism, prestige, and durability. Citrine offers affordability and abundant supply with its equivalent golden shine.
Ultimately, whether citrine or topaz speaks to you more, having two gorgeous birthstone choices allows those born in November to find the perfect gem to celebrate their place in the calendar year. Both citrine and topaz carry meanings of health, vitality and prosperity – positive qualities to focus on for the year ahead.
