Quick Answer
November has two birthstones: topaz and citrine. Traditional topaz spans many natural colors, though most blue topaz sold today is a colorless stone that's been irradiated and heat-treated. Citrine is affordable yellow-to-orange quartz, added to the birthstone list in 1952, and most on the market is heat-treated amethyst — a disclosed, industry-standard step, not a flaw.
What Are the November Birthstones?
November has two official birthstones: topaz, a naturally multicolored gem prized since antiquity, and citrine, a warm quartz added to the modern birthstone list in 1952. Topaz's natural palette runs from colorless to yellow, pink, and rare blue; citrine's color sits in the yellow-to-orange range, often compared to autumn light.
- Topaz — a silicate mineral found in many natural colors; Mohs 8, but with cleavage that can cause it to split along a plane if struck at the wrong angle
- Citrine — a yellow-to-orange variety of quartz, Mohs 7, colored by trace iron
- Citrine joined the modern birthstone list in the 1952 update, alongside alexandrite and zircon
- Topaz has anchored the birthstone list since it was first standardized in 1912
Topaz: Natural Color, Cleavage, and the Blue Topaz You'll Actually See in Stores
Topaz is a silicate mineral that occurs naturally in more colors than almost any other gem, from colorless and pale sherry to pink and rare natural blue. Nearly all the blue topaz sold today, though, starts as colorless or pale topaz that's irradiated and then heat-treated to induce that color — a disclosed, decades-old industry practice.
- Mohs 8 — hard, but topaz has perfect cleavage, meaning a sharp knock at the right angle can split it, unlike gems without a cleavage plane
- Natural, untreated topaz colors include colorless, pale yellow, pink, and "sherry" brown; naturally blue topaz is rare
- "Imperial topaz," the golden-orange to pink-orange variety, takes its name from a 19th-century trade tradition tying rare Ural Mountains topaz to the Russian court
- Blue topaz on the market is almost always irradiated and heat-treated — an accepted, standard step worth knowing, not a defect
Citrine: Affordable Quartz, and Why Most of It Is Heat-Treated
Citrine is a variety of quartz colored yellow to orange by trace iron, taking its name from the French word for lemon. It's abundant and affordable at Mohs 7, but natural citrine is genuinely rare — most citrine sold today is amethyst or smoky quartz that's been heat-treated into that warm color.
- Mohs 7 — durable enough for regular wear, and more resistant to fading in sunlight than amethyst, its untreated source material
- Most commercial citrine starts as amethyst or smoky quartz, heat-treated to shift it into citrine's yellow-to-orange range — a standard, disclosed process
- Fully natural, untreated citrine exists but is uncommon compared to heat-treated material
- Citrine joined the modern birthstone list in the same 1952 update that added alexandrite and zircon
How to Wear a November Birthstone Look Every Day
Topaz spans a wide color range and citrine leans warm and golden, so a November-inspired piece works well in gold-tone sterling silver rather than strictly matching either stone's exact shade. Scorpio runs through most of the month before Sagittarius begins on November 22, so a zodiac pendant is another way to mark a November birthday.
Here's what we make in moissanite and 925 sterling silver to sit alongside that idea, styled for November rather than sold as topaz or citrine:
Browse the full necklaces collection for more everyday pendant styles, or see our gift guide under $100 for more ideas.
A Custom November Birthstone Piece, Made to Order
A birthstone means more when it's tied to a specific person, not just a calendar month. We build made-to-order pieces around that idea: a nameplate or initial pendant with a genuine topaz or citrine accent, a small memorial design, or a piece made for one particular gift and nobody else's.
A nameplate style like this is a natural starting point for a custom design conversation. Start a custom design inquiry and tell us what you have in mind — we'll talk through sourcing options for a genuine topaz or citrine accent.
Caring for November Birthstone Jewelry
Topaz and citrine need slightly different care because of how they're built. Topaz's cleavage makes it vulnerable to a sharp knock at the wrong angle, while citrine — though softer at Mohs 7 — has no cleavage plane, which makes it more forgiving of everyday knocks, though both can fade with prolonged, intense direct sunlight over time.
- Avoid sharp knocks on topaz jewelry — its cleavage plane means a hard hit at the wrong angle can chip or split the stone
- Keep both stones out of prolonged, intense sunlight, which can gradually fade citrine and some topaz color over years
- Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush are safe for citrine; skip ultrasonic cleaners for topaz given its cleavage
- Store pieces separately in a soft pouch so harder stones can't scratch softer ones
- Put jewelry on last, after makeup, perfume, and hairspray
For more on keeping sterling silver bright between wears, see our sterling silver and moissanite care guide, or read our October birthstone guide and December birthstone guide if you're shopping for more than one birth month this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the November birthstone and what does it mean?
November has two birthstones: topaz and citrine. Topaz has been prized across many cultures for centuries and is associated with strength and warmth; citrine, added to the birthstone list in 1952, is linked to abundance and energy. Together they cover a wide color range, from clear and pink topaz to citrine's signature golden yellow.
Is blue topaz a natural color?
Rarely. Topaz occurs naturally in colorless, yellow, pink, and brown shades, and natural blue topaz does exist but is uncommon. Almost every blue topaz sold today is colorless or pale topaz that's been irradiated and then heat-treated to produce that blue — a standard, disclosed step in the trade, not a sign of a lesser stone.
Is citrine the same as amethyst?
Not originally, but most citrine on the market today started as amethyst. Both are quartz colored by trace iron; heating amethyst shifts its color from purple to citrine's yellow-to-orange range, a widely used and disclosed treatment. Fully natural, untreated citrine exists but is genuinely rare compared to heat-treated material.
Can I wear a topaz ring every day?
Carefully, yes. Topaz measures Mohs 8, hard enough for daily wear, but its cleavage plane means a sharp knock at the wrong angle can chip or split it — more so than gems without cleavage, like sapphire or moissanite. Save your topaz ring for lower-impact days and take it off before heavy manual work.
Can MYNSU make me a custom November birthstone piece?
Yes. Topaz and citrine aren't part of our ready-to-wear catalog, which runs on moissanite and 925 sterling silver, so a custom order is the way to get a genuine one. Tell us the stone, cut, and piece you're picturing — a nameplate, an initial pendant, a memorial design — through a custom design inquiry, and we'll work out sourcing from there.
Every MYNSU order ships free within the US, backed by 30-day returns, and ships from our Irvine, California warehouse.