Another month with the benefit of more than one birthstone, November has two great warm tone stones to choose from and we will discuss below their history and specifications so you can decide which is better for you!
Citrine
Photo: GIA
The warm sunset orange variety of the quartz family, which has been worn for thousands of years, Citrine was often confused for the other birthstone of this month, Topaz. Natural Citrine is actually quite rare, with most citrine on the market being amethyst (purple quartz) with permanent heat treatment to make it orange. The hue of Citrine is prized for it's lack of brown undertones which can be common with other orange gemstones, making it the most purchased yellow-to-orange gemstone.
Citrine can also thank it's popularity to it's general abundance. It's one of the most affordable transparent gemstones on the market and can readily be available in sizes up to 20ct. It's abundance and affordable price also makes it easier for gemstone cutters to experiment, so you will see many fancy cuts and faceting in stones like Citrine.
Citrine is a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness scale, making it suitable for jewelry. The stone is considered semi-precious, so if you prefer a rarer gemstone then November's second birthstone may be more your speed.
Topaz
Photo: GIA
Topaz may be one of the most misunderstood gemstones in the market. Most associate November with the most prized color of Topaz, the reddish-orange shade often called Imperial or Precious Topaz. Natural Topaz is often found colorless, where it will then be exposed to different treatments from coatings to radiation to change it's color from pink to blue and beyond. This makes Topaz with natural colors very rare and prized.
Topaz has a long history, with most notably it's nickname for the reddish-orange variety, Imperial Topaz, originating from nineteenth century Russia. Then, the Ural Mountains of Russia was the largest sourcing of Topaz and the stone was named after the then Czar to honor him, additionally only the royal family was allowed to keep the stone. While they may appear similar, Imperial Topaz and Citrine are wildly different rarities and costs. Imperial Topaz is much less common in nature and therefore is often certified and higher in price, it is also referred to in the industry as a precious stone.
Topaz is a 8 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness scale, perfectly suitable for jewelry. Since it is considered precious and priced higher, it is recommended to come from a trusted vendor or supplied with a certificate from a reputable gemstone lab.
Citrine vs. Topaz - Which Do I Choose?
Source: GIA
Choosing which birthstone is right for you can be a tough choice, but it ultimately comes down to your personal taste. Citrine as an affordable option with room to customize and go big while Topaz is the rarer precious stone with lots of historic appeal. If you're not a fan of the reddish-orange-yellow shades of Citrine and Topaz, then you can always use the other colors of Topaz, whichever speaks to you more!
At Shahla Karimi, we're happy to help with custom designing something special around whichever stone you decide, or we can help you choose by supplying many options to fit your preferences and budget. Have a look at our bespoke page below to learn more about our design process and also have a look at our ready-made Citrine collection for an easy choice!
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