The birthstone for the month of November is topaz. Topaz is a popular gemstone that comes in a variety of colors, but the most common and traditional birthstone shade for November is yellow, golden brown, or orange-yellow topaz. Other November birthstones include citrine and tourmaline, but topaz is considered the primary gem for this month.
What is topaz?
Topaz is a silicate mineral that contains aluminum and fluorine. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and often forms prismatic crystals. The name “topaz” comes from the ancient Greek word “topazos” which may have originated from the Sanskrit word “tapas” meaning fire. This could refer to the yellow and orange colors resembling the colors of fire.
Topaz is an 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it a durable gemstone suitable for jewelry. The most prized color variety is called precious topaz, which ranges in color from golden yellow to orange-red. Other natural colors of topaz include blue, green, pink, reddish-yellow, and clear. Many brown and pale topaz specimens are heat treated to produce brilliant blues, yellows, pinks and oranges with reddish hues.
Major sources of topaz are in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, and the United States. The state of Utah has been an important source of orange-yellow to reddish-orange topaz.
Why is topaz the birthstone for November?
Topaz has been associated with November’s birthstone since at least the 18th century. Back then, yellow topaz from Brazil was relatively abundant in European markets. The warm golden hue provided a striking contrast against the cool weather setting in during November in the northern hemisphere.
Astrologers link topaz to the sun, which connects nicely with this sunny gemstone being the birthstone of November. The zodiac signs of Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21) and Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21) fall in the month of November, and it is believed topaz influence can provide healing and rejuvenation powers to those born in this month.
Here are some key reasons topaz is the traditional November birthstone:
- Radiant golden yellow color reminiscent of a November harvest
- Believed to provide wealth and strength
- Associated with the sun and fire
- Durable for jewelry wear
- Abundant supply from Brazilian mines
What are other November birthstones?
While yellow topaz is the primary November birthstone, there are a few other gemstones also considered birthstones for November:
Citrine
Citrine is a yellow-orange to brownish variety of quartz. It has been used as a November birthstone since the Ancient Greeks. The name citrine comes from the French word “citron” meaning lemon. Citrine crystallizes in the trigonal system like other quartz gems. Most citrine in the market is heat treated amethyst or smoky quartz from Brazil.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline refers to a group of minerals that come in every color of the rainbow. Some popular November birthstone shades are golden, orange, red, and pink tourmaline. The mineral was first discovered on the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and so was known as “Ceylon sapphire” before modern mineralogy identified it as a unique mineral species. Significant sources today include Brazil, Africa, and Afghanistan.
What are the key characteristics of topaz?
Here is an overview of the key traits and properties of topaz:
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | Aluminum fluorosilicate – Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 |
| Color | Yellow, orange, brown, pink, blue, green |
| Refractive index | 1.607 – 1.644 |
| Mohs hardness | 8 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Sources | Brazil, Nigeria, United States, Mexico, Sri Lanka, China |
| Treatments | Heat, radiation, coating |
| Durability | Good |
The key identifiers of topaz are its orthorhombic crystal structure, high refractive index showing a lot of “fire”, and hardness around 8 on the Mohs scale. Natural topaz is generally clean and free of inclusions. The durability makes it suitable for wearing in rings, pendants, bracelets, and other mountings.
What jewelry options feature November birthstones?
November’s sunny birthstones look beautiful in all types of jewelry. Here are some popular jewelry designs that feature November’s birthstones:
Yellow topaz jewelry
- Topaz rings – Golden topaz solitaire rings or multi-stone rings
- Topaz pendants – Briolette cut or oval yellow topaz pendants
- Topaz earrings – Round, princess, or pear cut yellow topaz studs
- Topaz bracelets – Yellow topaz tennis bracelets or links
Citrine jewelry
- Citrine rings – Vintage style, halo, or bypass citrine rings
- Citrine necklaces – Beaded or pendant citrine necklace
- Citrine earrings – Studs or hoops with faceted citrine
- Citrine bracelets – Bracelets with large oval citrine charms
Tourmaline jewelry
- Tourmaline rings – Pink, red, or green tourmaline rings
- Tourmaline pendants – Heart shaped pink tourmaline pendants
- Tourmaline earrings – Oval cut green tourmaline drops
- Tourmaline bracelets – Multicolor tourmaline tennis bracelets
The colorful November birthstones look fantastic in white metals like sterling silver and platinum. Yellow gold also complements the warm hues. Simple solitaire or three-stone settings allow the beauty of the gems to take center stage.
How can you take care of November birthstone jewelry?
Here are some tips for keeping November birthstone jewelry in excellent condition:
- Store pieces separately to prevent scratching. Use fabric lined jewelry boxes with compartments.
- Clean with warm water, mild dish soap, and soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
- Take off during physical activities to prevent damage.
- Have stones tightened and claws checked yearly to maintain secure settings.
- Remove during exposure to chemicals like bleach, acids, perfumes.
As November’s birthstones have good hardness and durability, simple care goes a long way. Take care to avoid sharp blows that can chip or crack the gems. Clean using professional jewelers instead of doing it yourself when in doubt.
Conclusion
The sunny yellow and orange hues of November’s birthstones provide a warm and vibrant look perfect for fall. Topaz is the traditional and modern birthstone for November, with citrine and tourmaline also considered astrological birthstones for this month. These durable gems make great additions to rings, pendants, earrings and more. With proper care, November birthstone jewelry makes a wonderful keepsake to be treasured for years to come.
