Quick answer
The November birthstone is officially two stones: topaz and citrine. Topaz, on the US list since 1912, comes in many colors, from golden yellow and pinkish-orange imperial topaz to blue. Citrine, added in 1952, is a pale yellow to brownish-orange quartz. Together they give November its signature color: warm gold, like late autumn light.
Two stones means two choices, at different price points and with different strengths. Topaz is the harder stone, citrine the tougher and more affordable one. Here is how to tell them apart, what each has meant through history, how to care for them, and what to give a November birthday.
Key takeaways
- November has two birthstones: topaz (since 1912) and citrine (since 1952).
- Topaz is 8 on the Mohs scale but splits more easily than its hardness suggests. Citrine is 7, with good toughness.
- Most blue topaz is treated colorless topaz. Most citrine is heat-treated amethyst.
- Clean both with warm, soapy water. No steam, no ultrasonic.
What is the November birthstone?
The modern US birthstone list began in August 1912, when the National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) met in Kansas City and adopted an official list. November got topaz. In 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council of America revised the list and added citrine to November, alongside alexandrite for June and pink tourmaline for October.
Both stones stayed. That is why you will see November listed with two birthstones, and why either one makes a correct gift. The table below puts them side by side.
| Topaz | Citrine | |
|---|---|---|
| On the list since | 1912 | 1952 |
| Colors | Colorless, blue, yellow, orange, pink, violet, brown, very rarely red | Pale yellow to brownish orange |
| Mohs hardness | 8 | 7 |
| Durability | Poor toughness, perfect cleavage in one direction | Good toughness |
| Common treatment | Most blue topaz is irradiated and heated colorless topaz | Most citrine is heat-treated amethyst |
| Name | From Topazios, a Red Sea island, or Sanskrit for "fire" | From the French citron, lemon |
| Anniversary | Blue topaz: 4th. Imperial topaz: 23rd | 13th |
Facts from the GIA and the International Gem Society.
What color is the November birthstone?
Warm gold is the short answer. Citrine only comes in yellow to orange, and golden topaz sits in the same range, so November reads as honey, amber and gold. But topaz has an exceptionally wide color range, which gives you options.
- Imperial topaz: a medium reddish orange to orange-red, one of topaz's most expensive colors. The name comes from 19th-century Russia, where pink topaz from the Ural Mountains was named to honor the czar. Today, commercial deposits are found only around Ouro Prêto, Brazil.
- Blue topaz: widely sold, and almost never natural. Most of it starts as colorless topaz that is irradiated and heated, a stable, permanent treatment.
- Golden and yellow topaz: the classic November shade, and the reason citrine was long confused with topaz.
- Citrine: from pale lemon to deep orange. The GIA calls it the top-selling yellow-to-orange gem.
Topaz meaning and history
The name has two possible roots. One is Topazios, the old Greek name for a small Red Sea island now called Zabargad. The twist: that island never produced topaz. It produced peridot, which people then confused with topaz. The other root is the Sanskrit word for fire.
According to the GIA, the ancient Greeks believed topaz gave them strength. From the 1300s to the 1600s, Europeans thought it could thwart magic spells and dispel anger. In India, many have long believed that topaz worn above the heart brings long life, beauty and intelligence. Those old beliefs are why topaz is still linked with strength and calm.
Citrine meaning and history
Citrine's name likely comes from citron, the French word for lemon. Before modern gemology, traders confused its warm tones with topaz, so citrine picked up the same beliefs: it was thought to soothe tempers and calm the wearer.
Natural citrine is rare. Most citrine on the market is amethyst that has been heated until its violet turns yellow or orange. The GIA lists Bolivia, Spain, Madagascar, Mexico and Uruguay as top sources, with the amethyst for heating mined mostly in Brazil. Heated or not, it is real quartz.
Good to know
Topaz is harder than citrine, but citrine is tougher. Topaz has perfect cleavage: a sharp knock in the wrong direction can split it. For a ring you will wear every day, ask for a protective setting, or choose a harder stone.
Topaz or citrine: which should you choose?
- Citrine if you want a big golden stone on a sensible budget. The GIA notes it is readily available in sizes up to 20 carats.
- Golden or imperial topaz if you want a harder surface and a rarer color. Imperial topaz is among the most expensive topaz colors.
- Blue topaz if she wears cool tones and silver. It is still a true November birthstone.
- A protective setting for any topaz ring worn daily, such as a bezel that wraps the edge, because of its cleavage.
- Golden yellow moissanite if you want the November color on a 9.25 stone with more fire, and the exact birthstone matters less.
How to care for topaz and citrine
| Topaz | Citrine | Yellow moissanite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 8 | 7 | 9.25 |
| Clean with | Warm, soapy water, soft brush | Warm, soapy water, soft brush | Warm, soapy water, soft brush |
| Steam cleaner | Avoid | Avoid: high heat can crack it | Skip on plated pieces |
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Avoid | Skip it: warm water is safest | Skip on pavé: vibration can loosen stones |
| Main risk | Hard knocks along the cleavage | Scratches over years of wear | Wear on the metal, not the stone |
For all three, store pieces separately so harder stones do not scratch softer ones, and take rings off for the gym and housework. Our jewelry care guide has the full routine.
November birthday gift ideas in gold and honey tones
We do not set topaz or citrine. If you love the November glow but want a stone that is harder than both, golden yellow moissanite gives the same honey color at 9.25 on the Mohs scale, with more fire than diamond. It is not a birthstone, and we will not pretend it is: it is the color of one, on a stone made for daily wear. Our colored stones live in the Prisme collection.
| Gift | Why it works | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Miel Yellow Moissanite Tennis Bracelet | Golden yellow stones of 3, 4 or 5 mm in a full tennis line | From $248 |
| Iris Colored Moissanite Solitaire Studs | Canary yellow studs from 4 mm, a first birthstone-color pair | From $68 |
| Iris Colored Moissanite Solitaire Necklace | A single lemon yellow stone on an 18 in box chain | From $88 |
| Sirius Solitaire Necklace, 14K Gold Filled | A white stone on warm 14K gold filled, for a golden look without color | From $78 |
Prices at the time of writing.
Golden gifts for November
Miel Yellow Moissanite Tennis BraceletHoney-gold stones, prong set, box clasp with a double safety lock.See the piece
Iris Colored Moissanite Solitaire StudsCanary yellow up to 8 mm (2 ct DEW).See the piece
Sirius Moissanite Solitaire Necklace, 14K Gold FilledSolid 14K gold layer, 16 in chain plus a 2 in extender.See the piece
Gold is the other way to wear November. Our 14K gold filled pieces carry a solid gold layer of at least 5% of the total weight, so they keep their warm color far longer than plating. See the difference in gold filled vs gold plated, or browse gifts under $100.
The color of November
Golden yellow, canary and lemon moissanite, plus white stones on 14K gold filled. Free tracked shipping on every US order.
Shop Prisme colorsFrequently asked questions
What is the birthstone for November?
November has two official birthstones: topaz and citrine. Topaz has been November's stone since the US jewelers' list of 1912, and citrine was added in 1952. You can choose either one. Both are known for warm golden and orange colors, although topaz also comes in blue, pink and other shades.
What color is the November birthstone?
The classic November color is golden yellow to orange. Citrine ranges from pale yellow to brownish orange, and golden topaz sits in the same palette. Topaz also comes in blue, pink, violet and the pinkish-orange imperial topaz, so a blue topaz is still a correct November birthstone.
Is blue topaz a November birthstone?
Yes. Topaz of any color counts as the November birthstone, blue included. Nearly all blue topaz sold today is colorless topaz that has been irradiated and heated to turn it blue. The color is permanent, so it will not fade with wear. If you want natural color, look at golden or imperial topaz instead.
Which is better for everyday wear, topaz or citrine?
Topaz is harder (8 versus 7 on the Mohs scale), so it resists scratches better. But topaz has perfect cleavage and can split from a hard knock, while citrine has good toughness. For earrings and pendants, both are fine. For a daily ring, choose a protective setting or a harder stone.
Is citrine real or heated amethyst?
Both can be true. Citrine is a real quartz, and natural citrine exists but is rare. Most citrine sold today is amethyst that has been heat-treated until it turns yellow or orange. It is still genuine quartz with the same hardness of 7. Ask the seller if the difference matters to you.
Keep reading
Written by the Daellia Journal team, Paris. We write about moissanite, metals and the stories behind fine jewelry so you can buy with confidence. Read our moissanite guide or our story.
