November Birthstones

Topaz

Topaz is the accepted birthstone for November. Blue topaz is the accepted anniversary gemstone for the fourth year of marriage, and imperial topaz for the 23rd year.

Most people think of topaz as a transparent golden yellow gemstone. However, this gemstone occurs colorless as well as orange-yellow, red, honey-brown (dark sherry), light green, blue and pink.

The name topaz is derived from the Greek word meaning "to shine" and also implies "fire." Orange-red imperial topaz and pink colors are rare and most valuable. The lore, magic and romance of topaz goes back many thousands of years.

As part of the normal fashioning process, most brownish to sherry brown topaz is heated to produce a permanent pink color. Certain types of topaz are irradiated and heated to produce shades of blue.

Topaz is found mainly in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and China.

Citrine

Citrine is often used an alternative to topaz because it appears in many of the same colors as topaz. Unlike topaz, citrine is readily available and inexpensive even in large sizes.