November Gemstone: Citrine and Topaz

November sports two gemstones Citrine and Topaz.

Fiery Citrine is one of the most desired yellow gemstones ever. It is not only affordable but populous. Its popularity might have something to do with the fact that citrines seem to blend with many gemstones PLUS they look equally beautiful in white metal or yellow metal. 

Citrine is the gemstone for the thirteenth wedding anniversary.

Citrine is the transparent yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz. The name citrine is likely derived from the french word for lemon, 'Citron. It is a hardy durable gemstone that can be worn safely and often in rings and bracelets. Most of the Citrine available today is the result of heat treated amethyst. However there are sources of natural citrine. One of these is a once lost mine in Bolivia. The mine was discovered by a Spanish conquistador in the 1600s and given to him when he married Anahí, a princess from the Ayoreos tribe of Paraguay. The mine once rediscovered in 19960 is a important source of natural yellow citrine and amethyst. Amethyst and Citrine rough crystals are found side by side in the mine and they often combine in the same crystal to form Ametrine, a striking yellow-purple combination. 

Ametrine Crystal

Topaz:

Of Ice!! Or Blue skies or blue waters.. Some of the most affordable but mesmerizing blue gemstones are topaz. Each time I hold a blue topaz I am startled anew by the sharp clear colors. Name your shade of blue, you will probably find it in Topaz.

Topaz is the gemstone for the fourth wedding anniversary

Topaz is 8 on Moh's scale of Hardness, meaning it is very hard. Unfortunately it is not tough making it susceptible to cracking and chipping. This means that warm soapy water is the best for cleaning it and sudden temperature shocks are a no-no; -they may cause internal breaks. 

Like a number of other gemstones Topaz comes in a variety of hues, these include colorless, light blue, yellow, orange, pink, violet, brown and, very rarely, red. Blue Topaz happens to be one of the the more popular shades. It is often split into three shade of blue;  London blue topaz (colour-treated) , Swiss blue topaz (colour-treated) and Sky blue topaz which is natural and untreated.

The shades we typically stock.

We always have golden Citrine and blue Topaz in stock in various sizes, shades and shapes. You can order something custom made with a stone in stock or just pick a piece with topaz or citrine. Pieces available with Citrine or Topaz are all the pieces in the Connected Collection, Flower jewellery and the Entwined Gemstone Ring.

Is November your birth-month or the birth-month of some one you love? Citrine and Topaz make for lovely gifts.