10 Things You Didn’t Know About November’s Birthstones

November has two golden birthstones that are perfect for fall: Citrine and Topaz. Here’s some fun facts to share with your November birthday friends.

1. Topaz comes in a variety of colors, including golden “Imperial” topaz, Swiss blue, pink, and white.
2. Because of their golden color, both citrine and yellow topaz are associated with attracting wealth and success in business.
3. Citrines sometimes grow with amethysts, and combination purple/yellow gems called Ametrine can be found!
4. The name Topaz is either from the Sanskrit word for fire, tapas, or the Greek topazos.
5. Citrines were thought to be a gift from the sun, and were believed to have the power to calm those who wore it.
6. Topaz has a hardness of 8, but is prone to cracking. Do not steam clean them or put them in an ultrasonic. Gentle soap and warm water with a soft brush should be enough.
7. ‘’Citrine” comes from the French for “lemon,” citron.
8. Imperial topaz was a favorite of the Russian Imperial family. They reserved the best ones, mined in the Ural Mountains, for their exclusive, personal use.
9. Today the best source for citrine is the Anahi Mine in Bolivia. It was discovered in the 1600s and lost for 300 years before being rediscovered in the 1960s.
10. “Mystic Topaz” are synthetically colored white topaz gems that have been covered with a thin film of minerals.

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