The November Birthstone is Topaz
The traditional birthstone for November is warm yellow-orange Topaz (also known as Imperial Topaz) and thus the November birthstone color is yellow. The alternative November gemstone is sunny yellow Citrine and both Topaz and Citrine are listed as official birthstones for November.
The main Zodiac birthstone for Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22) is Beryl with Topaz as one of the secondary stones, and Topaz is the main Zodiac stone for Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21). Citrine is one of the secondary astrological birthstones for the Gemini (May 22 – Jun 21) star sign. Other birthday symbols include the birth flower for November which is the Chrysanthemum.
Besides being a meaningful November birthday gift, Imperial Topaz jewelry is also given to celebrate a 23rd wedding anniversary and Citrine jewelry a 13th anniversary.
Some references say the name Topaz originates from Sanskrit tapas meaning ‘fire’ or ‘heat’. Others references say the name came from an Egyptian island in the Red Sea originally called Topazos – where a yellow stone was mined. The word Citrine means ‘lemon colored’ or ‘yellow’ from French citrin and Latin citrus.
The gemstone Topaz symbolizes constancy, loyalty, faithfulness and friendship and Citrine is associated with happiness and success.
Watch the short, informative videos below highlighting the history, symbolism and properties of Citrine.
Topaz and Citrine
The November Birthstone Color is Yellow
The November birthstone color of yellow comes from the November gemstones yellow-orange Topaz, also called golden Topaz, and yellow Citrine.
Pure Topaz is actually transparent and it is impurities that create the different colored varieties. In addition to the yellow to orange range, Topaz also occurs in exquisite shades of blue, pale green, pink and red. Natural blue Topaz is very rare and most of the blue Topaz in the market is colorless Topaz that has been treated.
Natural golden Topaz, under the trade name of Imperial Topaz, is quite rare and not often found in jewelry. Usually clear Topaz is treated to produce beautiful sunset colors such as Mystic Topaz which is often found in November jewelry.
Most precious Topaz used in jewelry comes from Brazil and Russia, but Imperial Topaz is only found in Brazil.
The Alternative November Birthstone is Citrine
The second or alternative birthstone for November is Citrine, a pale yellow quartz which occurs very rarely in nature. The only location known to date is a mine in Bolivia. Citrine gemstones are also known as lemon quartz or cognac quartz.
When Amethyst quartz is heated it transforms to Citrine quartz and in some deposits geological heating has caused this process to occur naturally. In other instances Amethyst is mined and then manually heated to produce Citrine. This process is followed in Brazilian mines where much of the world’s Amethyst is found.
When both Amethyst and Citrine are intermingled in the stone, it is called Ametrine, and can be found naturally in Bolivia.
Citrine is a readily available gemstone and is popular in November earrings and other gemstone jewelry.
November Birthday Symbols and Zodiac Signs
Birthstone: Topaz (yellow/orange)
Alternative birthstone: Citrine
Official birthstones: Topaz and Citrine
Birthstone color: yellow
Birth flower: Chrysanthemum
Zodiac star sign: Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 21)
Zodiac star sign: Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)
The November Birth Flowers are the Chrysanthemum and Peony
This interesting article covers the fascinating history of November’s flower the Chrysanthemum.
The Rich History of Chrysanthemums
By Kathy Burns-Millyard
Did you know that those lush, colorful blooms called chrysanthemums are rooted in beliefs of human immortality and perfection? Today the “mum” graces gardens, cut flower arrangements and even salads (yes mums taste great), but they were taken much more seriously after T’ao Yuan Ming started it all in China around 500 A.D.
Over long periods of careful cross-pollination and selection, he developed stunning varieties of the flower and when he died, his birthplace was renamed Chuhsien The City of Chrysanthemums. His efforts had produced a legacy that would bring pleasure to this world for centuries.
When China imported the first chrysanthemums to Japan, the people there bestowed many honors upon them. The Japanese wrote legends. To sip dew from the petals meant long life. To eat the flower meant immortality. Philosophers said that the systematic opening of the “ray” flowers symbolized both the sun and the perfection of orderly life.
By 800 A.D. the chrysanthemum had become so prestigious that only royal and noble families were permitted to cultivate it. Among the highest honors that could be bestowed in Japan was admittance to the Order of the Chrysanthemum… a reward granted to nobility for service to the Emperor.
n great contrast to this, the “mum” didn’t make much of an impression when traders introduced it to Europe in the 1600s. But when in finally did catch on, it became one of the most popular blooms for both flower shops and gardens.
Today the mum comes in dozens of varieties. Fuji mums project rays with curly ends. Spider mums have straight-ended rays. Starburst mums have forked ends, while spoon-ended mums have a loop at the end of their rays. China mums are called “standard” and “football” because of their large, round heads. Daisy-like mums are called pompons. And those forming tight little balls are called button pomps.
Whether associated with spoons, forks or footballs, or with royalty or immortality, “mum” is the word for beautiful gardens and long-lasting floral arrangements. When you care for them as cut flowers, try to keep their ancient beauty away from such modern-day contraptions as air conditioning, TV sets and heaters. Don’t place them in drafts or direct sunlight. Do watch their water, and replace it when needed. This way, a bouquet of mums can make your day every day for at least a week, maybe two.
November Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum
The primary birth flower for November is the gorgeous golden Chrysanthemum and some say the pretty Peony is the second birth flower.
The birthday flower of November is the Chrysanthemum of the genus of the same name. Chrysanthemums are native to Asia and northeastern Europe where they start blooming in early fall.
The name is derived from Greek words meaning ‘gold flower’ and wild chrysanthemum flowers are indeed yellow. However there are also many cultivated varieties in colors of white, purple and red.
The center of diversity is China where chrysanthemums are prevalent in many traditions. This flower also features in many Japanese customs and is one of the national flowers of Japan.
In the United States the chrysanthemum is the official flower for the cities of Chicago and Salinas.
In Australia, chrysanthemums bloom in May in the southern hemisphere and are given to mothers on Mothers Day.
The language of flowers introduced in Victorian times says that chrysanthemums symbolize cheerfulness and love.
November Birth Flower:
Some sources list the Peony is as a second flower for November.
Peonies are a group of about 30 flowering plants and originate in Asia, Europe and western North America. Colors range from purples, reds, yellows and white with more colors in the many cultivated varieties. Peonies flower in late spring to early summer in the Northern Hemisphere, so it is a bit unclear why they are listed as a November flower.
The Greek origin of the word Peony is linked to Paeon, a Greek god of medicine, possibly in reference to the plant’s medicinal use.
The Peony is the state flower for Indiana and the Victorian meaning of flowers for the Peony is around the theme of happiness.
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Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
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