Topaz and citrine are so similar, in fact, that they have often been confused with each other throughout history. They are unrelated minerals and topaz is found in a wide range of colors far beyond yellow.
Both November birthstones are in abundance and affordable even in large sizes. Which means that everyone can find a way to fit topaz and citrine into their budget.
Topaz
Topaz is a gemstone whose colour is more than just yellow.
It used to be believed that all yellow gemstones are topaz and that all topaz is yellow. But topaz is found in many colors and is probably not even related to the stones that first got its name.
Topaz takes its name from Topazios, the ancient Greek name for the island of St. John in the Red Sea. Although the famous yellow gemstones mined there were probably not topaz, it soon became the name for most yellowish stones.
Pure topaz is colourless, but it can be coloured by impurities and can take on any colour of the rainbow. Precious topaz is found in colors ranging from brownish orange to yellow. It is often confused with greyish quartz or yellow quartz, respectively. Although quartz and topaz are different minerals.
The most expensive colour is imperial topaz, which has a vivid orange hue with pink highlights. Blue topaz, although increasingly abundant on the market, is very rarely found in nature. It is usually a product of irradiation processing.
The largest producer of quality topaz gemstones is Brazil. Other countries of origin are Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Russia. Also Australia, Nigeria, Germany, Mexico and the USA (California, Utah and New Hampshire).
With a size 8 on the Mohs scale, topaz is a very hard and durable gemstone. Its perfect separation can make it susceptible to cracking or splitting. But when cut correctly, topaz makes very wearable and durable jewelry.
Citrine
November's second birthstone, citrine, is a variety of quartz. Its color can range from pale yellow to honey orange. It is named after the citrine fruit because of its lemon-based hues.
The pale yellow colour of citrine is very similar to topaz. This fact explains why the two November birthstones have been so easily confused throughout history.
The yellow shades of citrine are caused by traces of iron in the quartz crystals. This rarely happens in nature. So most citrine gemstones we find on the market are the result of heat treatment of other varieties of quartz. Usually the more common and less expensive purple amethyst and greyish quartz, to produce gold gemstones.
Brazil is the largest supplier of citrine. Other sources include Spain, Bolivia, France, France, Russia, Madagascar and the USA (Colorado, North Carolina and California). Different geographical regions yield different shades of citrine.
With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, citrine is very resistant to scratches and everyday wear and tear, making it a great choice for large, easy-to-use jewellery.
