**Topaz, a November Birthstone**
Topaz, one of the two birthstones for November, is an exquisite gem prized for its wide array of colors. Throughout history, topaz has been highly sought after for jewelry, and in ancient times, it was believed to possess magical and healing qualities. The name “topaz” may originate from the Sanskrit word for fire.
### Colors of Topaz
Topaz occurs in a range of magnificent colors including pale blue, pink, red, brown, various shades of yellow, and even black. Pure topaz itself is colorless. Red and some pink topazes owe their colors to chromium atoms within the crystal, while most other colors arise due to minor element substitutions and crystal defects.
Some colors can be unstable and may fade over time. In others, heat can induce color changes. Colorless topaz, when exposed to high-energy irradiation, can transform into stunning blue gemstones.
Chemically, topaz is an aluminum silicate mineral that contains fluorine and hydroxide (a hydrogen-oxygen molecule). The strong chemical bonds in topaz make it the hardest of silicate minerals, rating an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale.
According to Geoscience Australia, the high concentration of fluorine required for topaz formation is geologically rare. Topaz typically forms in cavities within certain igneous rocks during the late stages of magma cooling, when sufficient fluorine is available. Some crystals also grow as hot, fluorine-rich fluids (hydrothermal solutions) flow through cracks in rocks that have already cooled.
### Topaz on Display
Topaz gemstones vary greatly in size, from tiny crystals to enormous rocks. One of the largest uncut topaz stones, a specimen from Brazil, weighs nearly 600 pounds (270 kg) and is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
One of the largest cut topazes in the world, the American Golden Topaz, is housed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. It weighs 10.1 pounds (4.6 kg) and measures approximately 7 inches (18 cm) in length.
### Uses for Topaz
The vibrant fire, clarity, color variety, and durability of topaz make it ideal for jewelry such as necklaces, brooches, and bracelets. Its brilliance often leads to it being mistaken for a diamond, especially when cut colorless.
Due to its rarity, topaz is an expensive gem. The most prized color is red, while imperial topaz—the sherry-colored varieties of brownish-yellow, orange-yellow, and reddish brown—are highly popular and command high prices. Pink topaz is also valuable. Lighter blue and pale yellow topazes, while less expensive, remain stunning gemstones.
Beyond jewelry, topaz has industrial uses. It serves as a refractory material in kilns and furnaces because it retains strength under extreme heat, making it useful for molds in molten glass and metal production.
Brazil is the largest producer of topaz, notably in the Minas Gerais region. Other significant sources include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, and Australia. In the United States, topaz is found in Utah, Texas, and California.
### Topaz Lore
The name “topaz” may stem from the Sanskrit word meaning “fire.” Another theory suggests it originates from an ancient Greek island in the Red Sea called Topazos, reputedly difficult to locate and once believed to be the source of a yellow stone, now thought to be chrysolite.
Ancient lore ascribed various powers to topaz. It was believed to cool boiling water and to bring cheerfulness and pleasant dreams to its owners. Wearing topaz was thought to grant a long life filled with beauty and intelligence.
During the Middle Ages, engraved gemstones were considered to hold great powers. The 13th-century “Book of Wings” by Ragiel mentioned that a falcon figure on topaz could help acquire the goodwill of kings, princes, and magnates.
Topaz was also used medicinally: powdered topaz mixed with wine was believed to prevent asthma and insomnia. The stone held during childbirth was thought to reduce pain. Saint Hildegard, a 12th-century German Benedictine abbess, recommended topaz for weak vision—immersing the stone in wine for three days and nights and then rubbing the liquid on the eyes.
A 15th-century Roman physician claimed to have cured plague sores by touching them with a topaz that had belonged to two Catholic popes.
—
### Citrine: Another November Birthstone
Citrine is a yellow variety of quartz that ranges in color from pale yellow to reddish-orange and brown, sometimes even yellow-green. Iron acts as its coloring agent. Natural citrine is rare, and most citrine stones sold in jewelry are heat-treated smoky quartz or amethyst.
While yellow topaz and citrine appear visually similar, they differ in hardness. Topaz rates an 8 on the Mohs scale, making it slightly harder than citrine, which rates a 7.
Other notable yellow gemstones include golden beryl and tourmaline. A unique gemstone called ametrine combines citrine and amethyst in a single crystal, displaying distinct yellow and purple zones. Ametrine is especially beautiful when the colors are vibrant and separated clearly.
Brazil is the leading citrine producer. Other sources include Madagascar, the United States, Argentina, Myanmar, Namibia, Russia, Scotland, and Spain.
### History of Citrine
The name “citrine” comes from the Latin word “citrina,” meaning “yellow.” The use of citrine as a gemstone dates back to around 300 BCE in Greece during the Hellenistic Age. Citrine has long been associated with prosperity and is sometimes called the “merchant’s stone” or the “money stone.”
—
### Bottom Line
Topaz and citrine are the birthstones for November, offering a vibrant palette of choices for November birthdays. Topaz is a hard, durable mineral celebrated for its brilliant colors and rich mythology of magical and healing powers. Citrine, a member of the quartz family, provides beautiful golden hues and a storied history of prosperity.
Whether you prefer the fiery brilliance of topaz or the warm glow of citrine, November babies have stunning options to choose from when selecting their birthstone.
—
**Explore the Birthstones for the Rest of the Year:**
– [January birthstone]
– [February birthstone]
– [March birthstone]
– [April birthstone]
– [May birthstone]
– [June birthstone]
– [July birthstone]
– [August birthstone]
– [September birthstone]
– [October birthstone]
– [November birthstone]
– [December birthstone]
https://earthsky.org/human-world/november-birthstone-topaz/