November already?! This month has two birthstones, citrine and topaz. Both gemstones were found on the Mediterranean island known in Ancient times as Topazios. Since both gemstones are similar in colour, they were often mixed up - the most common colours for Topaz are brown, yellow, yellow-gold and orange...all similar to the shades of Citrine.
Topaz is found in many other colours, ranging from colourless to oranges to blues. The oranges, reds and pinks are the most rare, one in particular is called Imperial Topaz and has been mistaken for Padparascha Sapphire
Imperial Topaz
Blue Topaz
Blue topaz is rarely found naturally and so now nearly all blue topaz, whether it's Sky, Swiss or Blue topaz, tends to be heat treated.
Blue topaz is the fourth anniversary gemstone while Imperial topaz is the gemstone for the 23rd anniversary.
Citrine is the gemstone gift for the 13th and 17th anniversaries.
Reed Ring featuring Citrine
The name Citrine is derived fro the French word for lemon - citron- but its most sought after colour is the more warm orange-red colour. These gemstones seem to have captured the last warm glow of Autumn, bringing sunshine to dull November days.
So, there is a colour for everyone in these two lovely gemstones....which would you choose???