Birthstones
November Birthstone: Topaz and Citrine نومبر
In short: November has two golden birthstones: topaz and citrine. Topaz is the harder stone at 8 on the Mohs scale, and Pakistan's Katlang area near Mardan is famous for rare pink topaz. Citrine, sold locally as Sunehla, is yellow quartz at 7 and easy on the budget. Neither stone is Pukhraj, which is yellow sapphire.
November has two golden birthstones: topaz and citrine. Topaz is the harder stone at 8 on the Mohs scale, and Pakistan's Katlang area near Mardan is famous for rare pink topaz. Citrine, sold locally as Sunehla, is yellow quartz at 7, warm in colour and easy on the budget. Neither stone is Pukhraj, which is 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)
GemStore team — written by the people who list and pack every stone.
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.
Meaning and history
Topaz has been worn since ancient times, and its name is often linked to an island in the Red Sea. Citrine takes its name from the French word for lemon. By tradition both stand for warmth, abundance and friendship, which suits a month that brings the first cool days.
Colours and how to choose
- Topaz. Golden, sherry and orange-pink are the classic November colours; the orange-pink shade is often called imperial topaz. Topaz also comes in pink, white and blue, and blue topaz is usually treated.
- Citrine. Ranges from pale lemon to deep orange-brown. Much of the deep orange citrine on the market is heated amethyst, which should be disclosed.
- Clarity. Both should be clean to the eye when faceted.
Browse topaz, yellow topaz and citrine.
Topaz, citrine and Pukhraj are three different stones
Yellow topaz and citrine are often sold in markets as cheap Pukhraj. Pukhraj is yellow sapphire, which is harder at 9 and priced very differently. If Pukhraj is what you want, buy it under that name with a certificate. If you want a November birthstone, topaz or citrine is the right choice.
Real or fake: what to check
- Yellow glass shows round bubbles and worn facet edges.
- Heated amethyst sold as natural citrine often has a reddish-orange colour with a whitish base when seen from the side.
- Citrine and yellow topaz look alike. Topaz feels heavier for its size, but only testing is certain. We provide a certificate on request.
Care
Topaz is hard but has a cleavage plane, so a sharp knock can split it; avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam. Citrine is tougher against knocks but some stones can fade in long, strong sunlight. Clean both in lukewarm soapy water. Read topaz care, citrine, heated and natural and our November birthstone guide.
A November gift
November opens the winter wedding season, and golden stones sit naturally beside gold bridal jewellery. A citrine or yellow topaz also matches the yellow outfits worn at mayun and haldi functions. For a November birthday or Eid, a golden stone is a warm gift for anyone in the family, and a Katlang pink topaz is a gift with a Pakistani story.
References
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