Happy Birthday all you November babies!

For those of you born this month, your birthstone is either the Topaz (ancient) or Citrine (modern). At this time of year what is not to love about a stone that brings us a bit of summer’s heat and sunny glow.

Topaz is found in a variety of colors, including: brown, red, orange, pink, sherry, yellow as well as colorless. Imperial Topaz is used to denote a stone that is reddish orange. Green and blue are naturally very pale and are often treated to produce more intense colors. The principal sources for Topaz are Brazil, Sri Lanka, Russia, Australia, Africa, Mexico and Pakistan. On the Mohs scale Topaz is an 8 which makes it a good choice for a ring stone.

A gift of this gemstone is said to symbolize friendship and to strengthen one’s capacity to give and receive love.

Topaz - Courtesy of Dolphin-Diamond-Ring.blogspot.com

Natural Citrine is a pale yellow to orange.  Sister stone to the purple quartz known as Amethyst, Citrine crystals are found in igneous metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.  It is believed that some Citrine may have actually begun as Amethyst, but heat from nearby molten rock changed it to the yellow form of quartz.

Most stones on the market today are actually heat-treated. Because of this the gemstone should not be left in direct sunlight for a long time because it will permanently alter the color.  Most Citrine is mined in Brazil, but other sources of the quartz are Bolivia and Madagascar. On the Mohs scale, Citrine is a 7, which is suitable for all types of jewelry, including rings.

A gift of Citrine is symbolic for hope and strength.  With its sunny brightness, this gemstone is ideal for helping anyone to get through the tough times in life!

Citrine - Courtesy of www.faceters.com

Here is a little poem for your birthday!

Who first comes to this world below

In dreary November’s fog and snow,

Should prize the topaz amber hue,

Emblem of friends and lovers true.

Portion from a Gregorian Birth Stone Poem