November Birthstone Twins – The Healing Citrine And The Fiery Topaz!

November born individuals are blessed with two ruling Birthstones, the revered Topaz, and the gentle, healing Citrine.

Topaz is a gemstone exhibiting an array of spectacular colors. The stone was believed to be symbolic of the Egyptian Sun God Ra, with its brilliant golden glow and fiery intensity. Owing to this quality of the Topaz, it was fashioned into several amulets and talismans.

The cirtine is diametrically opposite to its November cousin in quality and disposition. While the topaz is associated with passion, intensity and determination, the Citrine has taken on the more gentle qualities of men; peace, prosperity, loyalty, healing and creativity. The stone is also known as the ‘Healing Quartz’ in many sects.

Meaning, Significance and Symbolism Of The November Birthstone

The topaz is known for its associated qualities of strength, tenacity, dedication and resilience. The this November birthstone is believed to balance emotions and thoughts for a harmonious lifestyle. The gemstone is used to enhance spirituality, promote wisdom and cut through troubles and confusion to bestow clear thought and reasoning prowess on the wearer of the stone. The topaz was often used in the crowns and rings worn by rulers, diplomats, dignitaries and royalty.

The Citrine is a golden hued gemstone that encourages vitality and promotes good health of the wearer. These gemstones range in color from light yellow tones to deep orange hues. The stones have longed been believed to bring hope, strength, vitality and energy to the wearer.

Interesting Facts About The November Birthstone

According to legend, the Topaz was believed to control heat, having the power to cool boiling water and consequently, anger in a person, cutting through their despair, rage or confusion and lending clarity of thought to the wearer of the gemstone. During the Middle Ages, the stone was used by Royalty and Clergy. An interesting although strange belied entailed that the topaz engraved with a Falcon enabled the wearer to cultivate the goodwill of emperors and kings, thus bestowing peace and prosperity to the land. Earthy, Radiant And Impressive.

In the times of old, the Romans associated the Topaz with their Sun God and the largest planet of our Solar system, Jupiter.

The November birthstone, Citrine is widely believed to bestow good fortune and success to the wearer, earning it the title ‘The Success Stone’.  The belief entails that the stone is used to promote success in business if placed in the cash box of a shop, worn or carried, awarding it another interesting moniker, ‘The Stone Of The Merchants’. Citrus Color Takes On A New Meaning.

Etymology Of The November Birthstone

The name Topaz is derived from the Greek term ‘Τοpáziοs’ or ‘Τοpáziοn’. Another theory states that the word was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Tapas’ meaning intense dedication in the form of a fire oath. A third theory states that the Topaz was named for the Hebrew word ‘Tapooz’ indicating the orange fruit. Both the second and the third theory are being explored as the terms predate the Greek term for the topaz.

The name Citrine was derived from the French word ‘Citrin’ which means lemon. Despite the stone having golden hues, it is still likened to the lemon, deriving its name from the word for lemon in French.

Scientific Make up – Composition Of The November Birthstone

Topaz is composed of fluorine and aluminum, and it is a silicate mineral. Like the diamond, the topaz is extremely hard but is easier to break than the diamond. Chemically, the topaz is aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide. Owing to the strong chemical bonds in the mineral, the gemstone is among the hardest silicates, occurring in a variety of sizes, from tiny crystals to massive rocks.

Citrine is a variety of quartz exhibiting an array of colors ranging from pale yellow to brown. Natural citrines are very rare, these gemstones are created when the Amethyst and smoked quartz are heat treated.  It is extremely difficult to tell a cut citrine apart from yellow topaz visually. The two gemstones however differ in hardness. Citrines have ferric impurities that impart various hues to the stone.

Characteristics Of The Topaz And Citrine Gemstones

COLOR OF THE NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE

The topaz exhibits pink, yellow, orange, purple, and blue tones. The purest topaz gemstone is colorless with a tinge of color owing to impurities.  Colors exhibited by the topaz range from wine to pale gray, yellow to blue-brown, and reddish-orange. The stone can be made to exhibit certain colors with laboratory treatment to display white, blue, gold, pink, reddish-yellow, pale green or colorless tones and opaque or transparent qualities.

Citrine is produced by subjecting Amethyst and Smoky Quartz to heat treatment. At low temperatures, the color changes from a light yellow to golden yellow, while at higher temperatures the stone acquires a dark yellow or brown-red color.

Origin Of The November Birthstone

Brazil is currently the leading provider of Topaz in the world. Australia, Mexico, Afghanistan, Japan, Myanmar, Russia, Madagascar, Namibia, United States, Pakistan, Ukraine and Zimbabwe are important sources and exporters of the topaz gemstone.

The gemstone Citrine is mined from Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. Citrine deposits were embedded in rocks by magma flowing from volcanic explosions. Citrine is also found in the Ural mountains of Russia, Madagascar, France, Uruguay, Hungary, Bolivia, and the United States.

Healing Power Of The November Birthstone

The topaz is reputed to be extremely effective for health problems and is believed to cure blood disorders, insomnia, gout, tuberculosis, and control anger bouts arising out of insanity. The Topaz is believed to promote clarity of thought, enhance one’s creativity, relax the mind and body, and aid in tissue repair and regeneration.

The citrine has similar healing powers and enhances mental clarity, stimulates memory, cures disorders related to the heart, kidneys, and liver. The stone has often been used as a cure for kidney and urine disorders.

Value Of The November Birthstone

The topaz, November birthstone exhibits beautiful colors, intensity, and brilliance along with a harness that is ideal for insets in necklaces and other jewelry items. When the topaz is cut, it exhibits the aesthetic qualities of a diamond. Since the gem is rare, it is an expensive gemstone. The most expensive topaz is the red topaz, owing to the rarity of red stones of this family. Color, Clarity, and Cut are the chief parameters that define the value of a Topaz.

The most famous, prized and expensive topaz stone is the Imperial Topaz, named for the Russian Czars of 1800. The stone possesses a magnificent orange color with pink hues.

The parameters that define the value of the citrine are the intensity and saturation of color that the gemstone possesses. The darker, orange variants of the November gemstone are called the Madeira Citrines after the wine and are in high demand. The other gemstone variant is the lemon-colored stone, the current favorite in gemstone markets.  Citrine stones are available in pear, round, marquise, oval, and square cuts, fitting well into a range of jewelry.

Source: http://www.birthstonezodiac.com/birthstones/November-birthstone/