November Birthstones!

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???

November's Here!

November....the month of Bonfire Night, Toffee Apples, stunning colours in the trees and frosty mornings! I love this time of year!

From a gemstone point of view, we have the lovely Topaz and Citrine as this month's birthstones.  The poem above indicates that Topaz is an "amber hue" but the truth is that Topaz comes in many different colours including shades of blue and pink.

More to come on those beautiful gemstones over the coming month.  If you are a November baby, or know someone who is, and would like to commission a special piece of jewellery featuring one of these lovelies, then drop me a line via the "Contact" page.