Topaz - November Birth Stone        Paradise Jewelry Home Page      Check out the Super Deals Page - 50% off & Dropping!           Search This Site!

The birthstones for November are Topaz and Citrine.  These are both known as yellow stones, although topaz also comes in many other colors. Light yellow topaz is often called "champagne topaz" and the strong yellow is known as "precious topaz". When it has strong tones of pink, it is called "imperial topaz". It also comes in blue, from very light to very dark, and red, which is extremely rare (and expensive). 

Topaz is also the birthstone for Sunday, 4 p.m., Sagittarius, and the 16th wedding anniversary.

The name Topaz is believed to have come from either the Island of Topazios in the Red Sea (also known as Zebergit and St. John’s Island) or from the Sanskrit word "topas" meaning "fire". 

Mankind has been of by Topaz since at least Egyptian times. The Egyptians called Topaz the "gem of the sun", believing it was colored by the golden glow of their sun god Ra and was thus a powerful protector from harm. The Romans also associated Topaz with their sun god, Jupiter, but felt this gem could dispel 
enchantment and improve eyesight, while the ancient Greeks thought it could increase strength and render one invisible in times of danger. As well as aiding in the detection of poison, other powers attributed to Topaz include curing asthma, insomnia and staunching hemorrhages. At the height of Imperial Russia's power, rich orangey-pink Topaz gems were brought from Brazil to decorate the jewelry of the Czarinas. Ever since, these colors have been known as Imperial Topaz Long associated with royalty, in ancient times carving the figure of a falcon on a Topaz was thought to help acquire the goodwill of kings, princes and magnates. 
Originally thought to be a Diamond, the world's most famous individual Topaz is set in the Portuguese Crown and known as the Braganza.
Brazil has long been the world's major producer of Topaz Rough but it is also found in Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Africa, China, Australia, Myanmar and the U.S. In fact, Topaz is the state gem for both Texas and Utah, as well as the Birthstone for November and the anniversary gemstone for the 4th year 
of marriage. 
Strength, optimism, honesty and determination are just some of the attributes associated with the birthstone for November. Topaz is an incredibly varied gem with a wide range of colors including: pastel yellow, cherry pink, Imperial orange, teal green and a big variety of blues from deep London, Swiss and Paraiba colors through to pale blues reminiscent of Aquamarine.
Topaz has been associated with strength from the heyday of ancient Greece down through the ages. Topaz has also long been used as a healing crystal. Said to wax and wane with the phases of the moon, the healing 
power of Topaz has been used to treat insomnia, asthma, and hemorrhages. Orange Topaz is used to stimulate the creative powers associated with the Pelvic Chakra, while Yellow Topaz is associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra and is beneficial for people suffering from either too much or too little willpower.
Topaz is mentioned in historical and religious texts dating back to ancient times and was one of the gemstones on the Breast Plate of Aaron. It is particularly associated with the Eastern Roman Empire and it is believed that one of the greatest collections of Topaz was assembled in Constantinople during the years of the great port city's ascendancy - even used to decorate the walls of churches and palaces. By the time the Crusaders ransacked the city there was great treasures of "gold and topaz" as well as "the relics of many saints" much of which they carried off to their western homelands. 
On a more earthly level, Topaz has a hardness of 8, making it an ideal gem for daily wear. It is the State Gemstone for Utah and Texas (as both states have considerable Topaz deposits) but the biggest Topaz producers are Brazil and Sri Lanka. The Topaz deposits in Russia's Ural Mountains have produced some of the finest specimens the world has ever seen as well as being the area where Alexandrite was first discovered.

Blue Topaz

Citrine 

Quartz is a mineral that comes in several colors. When it is yellow, it is called Citrine. When it is purple, it is called Amethyst. When it is brown, it is called Smoky Quartz (mistakenly known as Smoky Topaz).  Citrine is the substitute birthstone in November.
Citrine is thought to be good for the kidneys, liver and gallbladder. A lucky crystal, it is popular with gamblers and lottery lovers as well aiding with digestive complaints. Emotionally, it fosters optimism, hope and warmth while preventing self-destructive tendencies.

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