November
November Birthstone: Topaz or Citrine نومبر
In short: November has two golden birthstones, topaz and citrine. Topaz is harder, at 8 on the Mohs scale, and Katlang near Mardan is famous for its rare pink topaz. Citrine, which many sellers call Sunehla, is yellow quartz at 7 and kind to a budget. Neither of them is Pukhraj, which is yellow sapphire.
November gets two golden stones: topaz and citrine. Topaz is the harder of the two at 8 on the Mohs scale, and Katlang near Mardan is known for rare pink topaz. Citrine, often sold here as Sunehla, is yellow quartz at 7, warm in colour and easy on the pocket. Neither one is Pukhraj; that name belongs to yellow sapphire.
- Month
- November
- Birthstones
- Topaz, citrine
- Local name
- Sunehla (citrine and golden topaz)
- Colours
- Golden, sherry, orange, pink; lemon to orange-brown
- Mohs hardness
- Topaz 8; citrine 7
- Pakistani source
- Katlang, Mardan (pink topaz)
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Traditional belief vs gemmology: anything on this page about luck, protection, planets, healing or religious tradition describes traditional and cultural beliefs — not proven effects, religious rulings or medical advice. A stone's identity, hardness, treatment and origin are gemmology, which a lab can test; the references at the end of the page cover that side.
Background
Topaz has been worn since ancient times, and its name is often traced to a Red Sea island. Citrine gets its name from the French word for lemon. Both are traditionally linked with warmth, plenty and friendship, which feels right for the month when the weather finally starts to cool.
Choosing between them
- Topaz. Gold, sherry and orange-pink are the classic November shades, and the orange-pink is often called imperial topaz. Topaz also comes in pink, white and blue; blue topaz is almost always treated.
- Citrine. Anything from pale lemon to a deep orange-brown. A lot of the deep orange citrine you see is actually heated amethyst, which the seller should tell you.
- Clarity. Faceted topaz and citrine should both look clean to the eye.
See topaz, yellow topaz and citrine.
Topaz, citrine and Pukhraj: three different stones
This catches people out constantly. In the markets, yellow topaz and citrine are often sold as cheap Pukhraj. Real Pukhraj is yellow sapphire: harder, at 9, and in a completely different price bracket. If Pukhraj is what you are after, buy it by that name and get it tested. If you simply want a November birthstone, topaz or citrine is exactly right.
Checking what you're buying
- Yellow glass shows round bubbles and rubbed facet edges.
- Heated amethyst sold as natural citrine often has a reddish-orange tone, with a paler, whitish base when you look at it side-on.
- Citrine and yellow topaz look very similar. Topaz feels heavier for its size, but only a test is certain, and you can have any of our stones tested independently.
Care
Topaz is hard but has a cleavage plane, so a sharp knock in the wrong direction can split it. Keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners and steam. Citrine handles knocks better, though some stones fade with long exposure to strong sun. Wash both in lukewarm soapy water. For more, read topaz care, citrine, heated and natural and our November birthstone guide.
Giving a November stone
November is when wedding season kicks off, and golden stones sit comfortably next to gold bridal sets. Citrine or yellow topaz also goes well with the yellow clothes at mayun and haldi. For a November birthday or Eid, a golden stone suits almost anyone in the family, and a pink topaz from Katlang carries a Pakistani story with it.
References
Related
