November: The Golden Choices
November also has the pleasure of boasting two birthstone selections, the Topaz and the Citrine. These two stones have been confused for centuries and only until the development of modern chemical science has the difference become clear. Let’s explore their unique properties.
Topaz
The Precious Topaz is a birthstone for November. Blue topaz is the gem of the 4th anniversary and the Imperial Topaz is the gem of the 23rd anniversary.
Topaz can be found in a variety of places all over the world in Brazil, Afghanistan, Australia, Myanmar (Burma), Japan, Madagascar, Mexico, Madagascar, the USA, Nigeria. Enormous topaz crystals have been discovered in Minas Gerais (Brazil) and the Ukraine.
Citrine
The other birthstone for November is the Citrine. It is also the official gem for the 13th wedding anniversary and the official stone of Virgo.
Deposits of natural colored citrine are found mostly in Brazil, Madagascar and the United States. But there are deposits in in Argentina, Burma, Namibia, Russia, Scotland, and Spain.
Physical Properties
Topaz
Measuring an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, the Topaz can be distinguished from other stones by its hardness and its orthorhombic crystal structure, meaning three axis of different lengths are at right angles to each other. It also exhibits pleochroism, which is the appearance of several colors in a single stone depending on the viewing angle.
Topaz also has a perfect cleavage. Gem stone cleavage is the tendency of certain crystals to break along definite place surfaces. Perfect cleavage is the easiest to cut along these weak planes in the crystals.
Topaz is often enhanced to produce the most desirable colors. The most popular color for
topaz is blue, but natural topaz is usually pale blue rather than the bright or deep blue. Orange-brown topaz is heat-treated during a process known as “pinking”, which produces a purplish-pink color. This process is widely accepted, since they result in permanent color change, however, they should be declared as treated stones by sellers. Natural pink topaz is pale pink and comes from Pakistan and is also very rare.
The Imperial topaz is also known as “precious topaz”. It is most sought after natural topaz. Considered to be the color of the setting sun, imperial topaz gets its name from the Russian tsars of the 17th century.
Citrine
The Citrine is a variety of quartz that ranges from pale yellow to brownish orange in color, taking its name from the lemon-inspired shades of the citron fruit. It is often confused with the smoky topaz, which is more rare and more expensive.
Though citrine is widely available, the darker shades of yellow citrine are more rare and therefore, more expensive. Although Citrine is found in many areas around the world (Spain, Bolivia, France, Russia, Madagascar and the US) Brazil is the largest supplier. It is available in larger sizes and with a Mohs hardness of 7 it is a durable gem that can be used in larger jewelry.
The citrine belongs to the very large quartz family which, also includes amethyst, brown quartz, hawk’s-eye, milky quartz, rock crystal, rose quartz, rutilated quartz, tourmalinated quartz, and tiger’s eye. Small chemical impurities separate these stones as well as color and country of origin.
Citrine’s yellow hues are caused by traces of iron in the quartz crystals. Since this occurs rarely in nature, most citrine on the market is made by heat treating other varieties of quartz, usually the more common, less expensive purple amethyst and smoky quartz to produce these golden gems.
Be sure to ask if your beautiful citrine is treated.
History
Topaz
Through much of history, all yellow gems were considered topaz and all topaz were thought to be yellow. We know now that the topaz is colorless, but is tinted by impurities. Precious topaz, ranging in color from brownish orange to yellow, is often mistaken for “smoky quarts” or “citrine quartz,” respectively, although quarts and topaz are unrelated minerals.
The name topaz derives from Topazios, the old Greek name for a small island in the Red Sea, now called Zabargad. The island never produced topaz, but it was once a source of peridot (see August Blog), which was confused with topaz before the development of modern mineralogy. Some scholars trace the origin back to Sanskrit, the word topas or tapaz, meaning “fire.”
Citrine
Citrine quartz has been adored since ancient times and was long referred to as yellow quartz. The name citrine was used to refer to yellow gems as early as 1385, when the word was first record in English. However, since the gem’s color closely resembled topaz, these two November birthstones share a history of mistaken identity.
In 1556 it was named Citrine by the father of modern mineralogy, George Bauer. He chose the name from the latin word 'citrus' and the french word 'citron' meaning lemon, or lemon colored.
Lore
Topaz
The ancient Greeks believe that topaz was a powerful stone that could increase the strength of the wearer and even provide invisibility in desperate times. The Egyptians believed the topaz was colored by the glow of the sun god, Ra. In traditional Indian believe systems, topaz is said to unlock the throat chakra, which facilitates communication and self-expression. Therefore, topaz is thought to be beneficial to artists, writers, and public speakers.
The ancient Greeks believed that topaz gave them strength. During the Renaissance people thought that the topaz could break magic spells and dispel anger. Many people in India have believed for centuries that topaz worn above the heart assures long life, beauty and intelligence.
In the 13th Century, St. Hildegard, who wrote one of the earliest books on medicine, said to "steep a topaz in wine for three days and then lightly rub it over the eyes" to heal failing eyesight. And in India, topaz was used to treat tonsillitis and mumps.
Citrine
Throughout history, the Citrine, mistaken for topaz, believed to carry many of the same properties including the ability to calm tempers, soothe anger and manifest desires, especially prosperity. Egyptians used citrine gems as talismans, the ancient Greek carved iconic images into them and Roman priests fashioned them into rings.
Citrine’s color is thought to radiate positive energy and is believed to promote prosperity and abundance, especially in situations involving business. It is also thought to generate stability in life and be good for general protection, overcoming physical addictions, phobias and fears.
It has long been thought that having a citrine in your till or safe will bring in more business. It aids in improving communication with clients and customers as well as assisting family relationships as it attracts happiness and affection. It is the stone of forgiveness and positivity allowing you to progress from the pain of a broken heart or relationship.
Fun Facts
Topaz
The ancient Egyptians believed the topaz got its golden color from the god Ra
The royal court in Portugal celebrates the discovery of the Imperial topaz in 1768
The famous “Blaze Imperial Topaz” is a 97.45 carat gem displayed by the Field Museum of Natural History, one of the largest cut topaz.
Topaz was thought to cure many ailments such as failing eyesight, tonsillitis, mumps, improve posture and stimulate the heart!
The prized pinkish orange Imperial topaz mined in the Ural Mountains of Russia honored the Russian czar and only royals were allowed to own it.
Topaz is thought to promote virility in men.
Citrine
Citrine and Amethyst, February’s birthstone, are in the same large quartz family and some lesser quality amethysts are usually heat treated to create beautiful, valuable Citrine.
Known as “The Merchant’s Stone”, many businesses will keep citrine in their cash registers for good fortune.
In ancient times, citrine was worn as protection against snake venom and evil thoughts.
Citrine has been mistaken for imperial topaz, golden beryl and golden sapphire. Testing the chemical makeup is the only way to distinguish between the different gems.
Citrine is wildly popular in men’s jewelry: cufflinks and rings mainly
It is the most affordable and frequently purchased yellow gemstone.
The largest faceted citrine gemstone, Malaga, was added in June of 2010 to the “Special Exhibition Gems” section of Art Natura in Spain. Untreated and weighing in at 20,200 carats!! That’s 8.8 pounds!!
So if you are looking for a November gift, a stone to protect and ensure prosperity, promote virility in your man, or just need a beautiful gem to enhance your jewelry collection, choose either the blue topaz or a smooth yellow citrine. You won’t be sorry for your investment.
Be sure to click on any of the cited links, you will find a world of interesting information about these and many more gems!
Next month we talk about the December’s birthstones.December has the distinct pleasure of having three birthstones.
Cited:
https://eragem.com/news/legendary-malaga-citrine/
The Jeweler’s Directory of Gemstones by Judith Crowe
https://www.gia.edu/topaz-history-lore
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann
https://www.gemselect.com/gem-info/topaz/topaz-info.php
http://www.americangemsociety.org/page/novemberbirthstones
https://www.gemselect.com/gem-info/citrine/citrine-info.php
https://www.gemsociety.org/article/cleavage-gemology/
https://agta.org/education/gemstones/topaz/