November Birthstone Guide - Topaz and Citrine Jewellery for Birthdays

November has two birthstones: topaz and citrine. Both glow, and either one makes a thoughtful gift for a November birthday. Topaz is the traditional choice, citrine is the popular modern alternative, and both look beautiful set in sterling silver.

This guide explains what each stone looks like, what it means, how the two differ, how to look after them and how to choose a piece to give or keep.

November birthstone quick facts

Birthstones: topaz and citrine
Colours: golden yellow, honey, amber and orange (topaz also comes in blue, pink and colourless)
Star signs: Scorpio (23 October to 21 November) and Sagittarius (22 November to 21 December)
Hardness: topaz 8, citrine 7 on the Mohs scale
Anniversary stones: blue topaz for the 4th, citrine for the 13th, imperial topaz for the 23rd year
Traditional meaning: friendship, courage and wisdom (topaz); joy, prosperity and optimism (citrine)

What Is the November Birthstone?

November has two birthstones: topaz and citrine. Topaz has been linked with the month for centuries and is the traditional stone. Citrine joined the modern lists in the twentieth century (it was added to the American list in 1952) as a more affordable stone in a similar golden colour.

Today either one is correct, so you can choose by colour, budget and style rather than worrying about which is “right”.

November Birthstone Colours

Most people picture golden yellow, and both stones deliver it. The full range is wider:

Topaz: imperial gold, sherry orange, pink, blue (the most popular topaz for jewellery) and colourless
Citrine: pale lemon, honey, golden amber and deep reddish-orange, sometimes called Madeira

If you want a classic November look, choose golden citrine or imperial-toned topaz. If you prefer something cooler, blue topaz is still a November birthstone.

Topaz: The Traditional November Birthstone

Topaz is a silicate mineral made from aluminium and fluorine. In its pure form it is actually colourless. Trace elements and treatments create the colours you see in jewellery.

Types of topaz

Imperial topaz: golden-orange to pinkish sherry tones. It is the rarest and most valuable type, historically linked with Russian royalty, and Brazil’s Ouro Preto region is the classic source.
Blue topaz: the most popular topaz in jewellery, in sky, Swiss and London blue shades. Natural blue topaz is pale and uncommon, so most blue topaz sold has been treated with irradiation and heat. This is a permanent, long-established practice in the trade. Browse our blue topaz jewellery.
Pink topaz: soft pink to rose shades. See our pink topaz jewellery.
Mystic topaz: colourless topaz with a thin coating that creates a rainbow shimmer. The coating can wear over time, so it suits gentler wear.
Colourless topaz: clear and affordable, and often chosen as an alternative to diamond.

Topaz history and meaning

The ancient Greeks believed topaz gave strength and could make the wearer invisible in times of danger. In Renaissance Europe it was thought to break enchantments and calm anger. Imperial topaz was reserved for nobility in Tsarist Russia. Traditionally, topaz symbolises friendship, wisdom and courage.

Is topaz durable?

Topaz scores 8 on the Mohs scale, so it resists scratches well. However, it has perfect cleavage, meaning a hard knock at the wrong angle can split the stone. It suits rings and everyday wear, but take it off for heavy work or sport.

Citrine: The Merchant’s Stone

Citrine is a transparent variety of quartz. Its name comes from the French word citron, meaning lemon.

Citrine colours

Citrine ranges from pale lemon through honey and golden amber to deep brownish-orange. Our citrine jewellery collection shows the full range.

Natural vs heat-treated citrine

Natural citrine is rare and tends to be pale. Most citrine on the market is amethyst or smoky quartz that has been heat-treated to turn it golden. This is a well-established practice, and the result is still genuine quartz with a stable colour under normal wear. If you like the idea of both colours in one stone, look at ametrine jewellery, a natural blend of amethyst and citrine, or browse amethyst jewellery.

Citrine history and meaning

Citrine has been used as a decorative gemstone since around 300 BCE in ancient Greece and Rome. Its popularity grew in the Victorian era, helped by Queen Victoria’s fondness for Scottish pebble jewellery. It is nicknamed the “Merchant’s Stone” because of the tradition of keeping a piece in a cash box or till to attract prosperity. Traditionally, citrine is associated with joy, abundance and optimism.

Is citrine durable?

Citrine scores 7 on the Mohs scale. It is slightly softer than topaz but has no cleavage, which makes it tough in everyday wear. It may show fine surface scratches over time.

Topaz vs Citrine: What’s the Difference?

	Topaz	Citrine
Mineral	Aluminium silicate fluoride	Quartz (silicon dioxide)
Mohs hardness	8	7
Toughness	Hard, but has cleavage, so avoid hard knocks	No cleavage, so tough
Colour range	Imperial gold, sherry orange, blue, pink, colourless	Lemon, honey, golden amber, Madeira
Look	Brighter sparkle (refractive index 1.619–1.627)	Soft golden glow (refractive index 1.544–1.553)
Treatment	Blue topaz is usually treated; imperial is often natural	Most is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz
Typical price	Imperial is costly; blue and colourless are affordable	Generally affordable
Main sources	Brazil, Sri Lanka, Russia, USA	Brazil, Madagascar, Zambia
Anniversary	4th (blue topaz), 23rd (imperial topaz)	13th

Citrine and golden topaz look similar, but they are different minerals. Imperial topaz is rarer, brighter and usually more expensive.

Which November Birthstone Should You Choose?

Choose topaz if you want more sparkle, a harder stone or the option of blue.
Choose citrine if you love a warm golden glow, want the best value or prefer a tough stone for daily wear.
Can’t decide? Pick by colour: blue topaz for cool tones, citrine for warm.

November Birthstone Jewellery in Sterling Silver

Warm gold-toned stones look striking against bright 925 sterling silver. Shop by stone or by type:

By stone: citrine jewellery, blue topaz jewellery and pink topaz jewellery
By type: rings, earrings, pendants and necklaces, bracelets and handmade silver jewellery

New to buying silver? Read what 925 sterling silver means and what UK hallmarking means.

November Birthday Gift Ideas

A ring: a lasting gift for a November birthday. Use our ring size guide to get the fit right, and know that we offer ring resizing and easy 30-day returns.
Earrings: studs and drops need no sizing, so they are a safe choice.
A pendant: a single citrine or blue topaz pendant is easy to wear every day.
A bracelet: a good option if you are unsure of ring size.
A gift card: let them choose their own November birthstone piece with a Silver Jewellery Store gift card.

UK postage is £2.49, or free tracked delivery when you spend £30 or more. See our delivery information.

What Do Topaz and Citrine Symbolise?

These meanings come from tradition and folklore rather than science, but they make the stones popular for gifts.

Topaz is traditionally linked with friendship, wisdom, courage and confidence in pursuing your goals.
Citrine is traditionally linked with joy, prosperity, optimism and self-expression, and is often called a stone of abundance.

How to Care for Topaz and Citrine Jewellery

Clean gently: use warm water, a little mild soap and a soft brush, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners: thermal shock can crack topaz along its cleavage planes, and most citrine is heat-treated, so it is safest to avoid them for both.
Store separately: topaz is harder than citrine and can scratch it, so keep pieces in separate soft pouches.
Limit sun and heat: prolonged strong sunlight or heat can fade some stones.
Protect the silver: follow our guide to cleaning sterling silver jewellery safely.
Wear it last: put jewellery on after cosmetics and perfume, and remove it for sport, gardening and cleaning.
Get repairs early: if a stone feels loose, see our jewellery repairs service.

November Birthstone FAQs

What is the November birthstone?

November has two birthstones: topaz and citrine.

What colour is the November birthstone?

Golden yellow, honey and amber are the classic colours. Topaz also comes in blue, pink and colourless, all of which count as November birthstones.

Why does November have two birthstones?

Topaz is the traditional stone, and citrine was added to modern lists as a more affordable alternative in a similar colour.

Which is better, topaz or citrine?

Neither is better. Topaz is harder and sparklier, while citrine is tougher, warmer in tone and usually better value.

Is citrine the same as yellow topaz?

No. They look alike but are different minerals. Citrine is quartz, while topaz is an aluminium silicate with a higher refractive index and usually a higher price.

Is citrine real if it has been heat-treated?

Yes. Heat-treated citrine is genuine quartz, and heating amethyst or smoky quartz is a long-established way of producing golden citrine.

Is blue topaz a November birthstone?

Yes. Topaz in any colour counts, and blue topaz is the most popular and affordable variety. Most blue topaz is treated.

Can I wear topaz or citrine every day?

Yes, with care. Topaz is harder but can split if knocked hard, while citrine is slightly softer but tough. Remove rings for heavy work.

Does citrine fade in the sun?

Most citrine is stable in normal wear, but prolonged strong sunlight or heat can fade some stones, so avoid leaving jewellery on a sunny windowsill.

Which stone is more valuable?

Natural imperial topaz is generally the most valuable. Blue topaz and citrine are more affordable, which makes them popular for sterling silver jewellery.

What is the November birthstone for Scorpio and Sagittarius?

November birthdays fall across Scorpio and Sagittarius, but there is no official split. Both topaz and citrine suit either sign.

Which wedding anniversaries use topaz and citrine?

Blue topaz is traditionally given for the 4th anniversary, citrine for the 13th and imperial topaz for the 23rd.

Explore More Birthstone Guides

Looking for a gift for a different month? Read our October birthstone guide to opal and tourmaline and our December birthstone guide, or browse all our latest news and guides.

Ready to shop? Explore citrine jewellery and blue topaz jewellery in genuine 925 sterling silver.

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