The modern birthstone for November is the Topaz and the synthetic birthstone for November is the simulated Citrine. The name for yellow topaz originates from a Sanskrit word, and when literally translated means fire. Legend has it that topaz could be used to control heat and was even said to have the power to cool boiling water and to cool excessive anger! Topaz was even used to cure fever. Read on for more information on November’s birthstone.

From the 13th Century onwards a topaz stone that was engraved with a falcon could help the wearer further relationships with royalty. Topaz was also used extensively by members of the clergy and royalty as well. During these times topaz was seen to have many uses including the belief that it strengthened the mind, helped
to prevent mental disorders and increased wisdom. People also thought that wearing topaz as a talisman or amulet would prevent against sudden death and danger. When the stone was ground down into a power and added to liquid it was used to prevent asthma and sleeplessness. Another strange belief was that if you steeped topaz in wine for 72 hours and then rubbed the liquid on the eyes it would work as a cure for poor vision!

As November’s birthstone the yellow topaz is actually a colourless stone and can be coloured by defects in the stone or by heating, in the case of blue topaz. The topaz is the hardest of all silicate minerals. Topaz is a valuable gemstone because of its rarity. The most valued and rarest colour being red topaz. When it is cut to perfection topaz is stunning and the colour becomes irrelevant.