November Birthstones: Citrine and Topaz

November has 2 birthstones: topaz, the traditional stone, and citrine, which joined the American list in 1952. Citrine is yellow to orange quartz colored by traces of iron, while topaz is a harder, heavier aluminum silicate that comes in many colors, from colorless and blue to golden orange. The 2 were confused for centuries because both can be golden, and they still share the month today. Here is what each stone is, how to tell them apart and how to design with them, and you can find both in our November birthstone beads.

What Is Citrine?

Citrine is the yellow to orange variety of quartz, silicon dioxide, the same mineral as amethyst, rose quartz and clear rock crystal. Its color comes from small amounts of iron in the crystal, and its name is believed to come from the French citron, lemon. Like all quartz it rates 7 on the Mohs scale, has no cleavage and takes a bright polish, so it makes a durable bead for bracelets and everyday necklaces. Browse our citrine beads to see the range.

Citrine Colors: Lemon, Golden and Madeira

Citrine runs from pale lemon yellow through golden honey to a deep orange brown known in the trade as Madeira citrine, a name usually traced to the color of Madeira wine. Madeira names a color, not a place the stone comes from. Pale citrine looks light and clean, while the deeper golds and Madeira tones read richer and warmer next to metal.

What Is Topaz?

Topaz is an aluminum fluorosilicate, Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂, and a completely different mineral from quartz. It is harder, at 8 on the Mohs scale, and noticeably denser. It grows as prism-shaped crystals in granite pegmatites and in cavities in volcanic rock, and it is mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia and the United States. Colorless topaz is by far the most common, and it is what we carry as clear topaz in our topaz beads, colorless to near colorless with a crisp sparkle when faceted.

Imperial Topaz and Blue Topaz

The most valuable topaz is imperial topaz, a golden orange to pinkish orange found mainly near Ouro Preto in Brazil. It is rare and costly, and pink and red topaz are rarer still. Blue topaz is the opposite: common and affordable, in sky, Swiss and London blue.

Citrine vs Topaz at a Glance

How to Tell Citrine and Topaz Apart

Weight. Topaz is about a third denser than quartz, so a strand of 8 mm topaz feels noticeably heavier in the hand than the same strand of citrine. With 2 loose stones of the same size, a gem scale settles it.

Hardness. Topaz will scratch quartz, but a scratch test damages the stone, so it is a test for rough crystals, not for finished beads.

Cleavage. Topaz can split cleanly along one flat plane if it is knocked hard, and chips on topaz often show a flat, stepped face. Citrine has no cleavage and chips with curved, shell-like (conchoidal) breaks.

Luster and sparkle. Both are glassy, so luster alone will not separate them. Topaz bends light more strongly, which a refractometer measures and which gives faceted topaz a slightly brighter look.

Color and name. A golden stone is more likely to be citrine, simply because golden topaz costs far more. Treat names such as "topaz quartz," "Madeira topaz" and "citrine topaz" with caution: they describe citrine sold under topaz's name.

History of the November Birthstones

Topaz is November's traditional stone, and it was November's stone on the first standardized American list, adopted in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers (today Jewelers of America). In 1952 the Jewelry Industry Council of America revised that list and added citrine for November, along with alexandrite for June and pink tourmaline for October. For the older story behind the monthly stones, see The History and Origin of Birthstones.

Citrine traveled under topaz's name for much of its history, and the 2 were confused for centuries. It was a favorite in Victorian Scottish jewelry, where it was set in kilt pins and shoulder brooches, and large citrines came back into fashion in the bold statement rings of the Art Deco period. The word topaz may come from Topazios, the ancient Greek name for an island in the Red Sea, or from the Sanskrit tapas, fire.

November Birthstone Bracelet and Design Ideas

Citrine and Clear Topaz

Put the 2 November stones together: 8 mm smooth citrine rounds with a microfaceted clear topaz cube after every 4th bead. The colorless topaz reads as a bright spacer and keeps the gold from looking heavy.

A Golden Ombre

Grade the strand from pale lemon citrine at the back to deep honey at the front, or mix several citrine shapes, such as rounds, faceted rondelles and chips, in the same color family.

Citrine with Violet and Blue

Yellow sits opposite violet on the color wheel, so citrine with iolite or lapis lazuli makes a strong contrast; our post on complementary colors explains the pairing. The ametrine and citrine mix puts purple and gold in one strand: ametrine is a single quartz crystal with both amethyst and citrine zones.

Warm Neutrals

For a quieter bracelet, pair citrine with cinnamon hessonite garnet and champagne pearls. The 3 share a warm undertone, so the piece looks golden without being bright yellow.

Citrine and Topaz Meaning

In metaphysical belief, citrine is associated with warmth, optimism and abundance, and it is a symbol of the sun; it is linked with the solar plexus chakra. In metaphysical belief, topaz is a symbol of friendship, generosity and truth, and clear topaz is linked with clarity and fresh starts. Our post on citrine meaning covers the tradition in more depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the birthstone for November?

Topaz and citrine. Topaz is the traditional November stone, and citrine was added to the American list in 1952, so either one is correct.

Is citrine a type of topaz?

No. Citrine is quartz and topaz is a separate mineral. They can look alike when golden, which is why citrine was long sold under the topaz name.

Is topaz or citrine more expensive?

It depends on the color. Citrine, colorless topaz and blue topaz are all affordable to moderate, while imperial and pink topaz cost far more than citrine.

What color is the November birthstone?

Golden yellow to orange is the classic November color, shared by citrine and golden topaz. Topaz also comes colorless, blue and pink, so a November gift does not have to be yellow.

Does citrine fade in the sun?

Some citrine can fade with prolonged exposure to strong light, so store it away from a sunny windowsill. Normal wear is fine, but avoid steam cleaners and sudden heat, which can crack quartz.

Shop November Birthstone Beads

Find both stones in our November birthstone collection, or shop them on their own in citrine beads and topaz beads. For the story of every month's stones, read The History and Origin of Birthstones, and for the traditions around citrine, Citrine Meaning.

These are traditional beliefs, not claims of physical effect. Crystals are not a substitute for medical care.