Citrine and topaz jewellery for November birthdays

By Kim Parker

It’s that time of year again. Blustery winds. Golden leaves. Chilly evenings. Long, dark nights. Autumn’s here in full flow and what better way to celebrate than with November’s sparkling birthstones – warm, glowing citrine and sunny topaz?

Unsurprisingly, citrine takes its name from the citron fruit because of its juicy hue – though it can be found in a range of shades from pale cornsilk to a caramel-tinted orange or deep honey, depending on where it is found, and it can be heat-treated to intensify its colour. This variety of quartz, which is mined everywhere from Brazil and Bolivia to Spain, Madagascar and the USA, is easily mistaken for yellow topaz, but the stones are actually unrelated.

Perhaps because of its golden hue, the ancients imbued citrine with a wealth of positive powers – everything from soothing fraying tempers to improving communication and attracting wealth. The Egyptians wore the stones as talismans, whilst the Romans associated them with Mercury, god of speed and messages. Today, citrine makes a cheery addition to your jewellery box, often set in yellow gold to enhance its glossy colour.

Topaz, in its natural form, is largely colourless, but it can be found in an assortment of shades from yellow to dark denim blue, and is often treated with gamma rays to alter or enhance its colour. Its name is thought to originate from Topazos, the ancient name for the island of Zabargad in the Red Sea, though no topaz was ever actually found there. It’s a stone connected to empathy, strength and truthfulness, as well as emotional stability and calm. Today, it makes a beautiful alternative to rarer stones like diamonds, or watery aquamarines.

Whichever birthstone catches your eye, there are myriad jewels for every occasion. Here, we choose the best pieces to invest in right now.

Ruth Tomlinson

Karma El Khalil

Greenwich Street Jewelers

Minka

Annoushka

Marlo Laz

Anne Sisteron

Emily P Wheeler

Kelly Bello at Finematter

Kiki McDonough

Harwell Godfrey

Hirsh

Theo Fennell

Nak Armstrong

Piaget

Hannah Bedford

Lily Gabriela

Like this? Check out our edit of the best peridot birthstone jewels