November (Topaz)

Born in November and hate your birthstone?

…Keep reading!

Most Novemberites are familiar with the orange color of their birthstone and either hate it, or love it.

Today, citrine, a stone that ranges from pale yellow to orange-brown, is accepted as November’s birthstone because of its abundance and affordable price.

However, you may not know that topaz is November’s original birthstone. Citrine and topaz both radiate a golden orange hue and before the development of modern gemology, citrine was traditionally confused with topaz.

Topaz comes in a sunset of colors besides orange, including red-orange, sherry, pink, peach, purple and sky blue. The most valuable topaz color is red. Topaz is not as common in jewelry stores due to its rarity and expense.

Topaz holds the distinction of being the gemstone with the widest range of curative powers. The Greeks felt it gave them strength, cooled tempers, restored sanity, cured asthma, relieved insomnia and even warded off sudden death. People in India have believed that topaz worn above the heart assures long life, beauty and intelligence.