Happy Birthday, November! The November birthstone is citrine.
Citrine gets its name from the old French word “citrin” which translates to “lemon.”
Citrine is one of the most rare forms of quartz and can be found in colors ranging from pale yellow to a dark amber shade, commonly referred to as “Madeira,” as the color closely resembles the wine of the same name.
It is commonly called the “sister stone” to the purple quartz of amethyst. Citrine crystals develop in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Some citrine may have actually started its journey as amethyst but changed color due to the heat from nearby molten rock.
Citrine will change color when subjected to heat, and in jewelry-making, Citrine is commonly heated to intensify its color. The majority of citrine today is mined in Brazil, but it can also be found in Bolivia and Madagascar.
The November Birthstone and Traditions
Traditionally, there is a birthstone associated with each month. This is believed to date back to the breastplate of Aaron, which is said to have contained twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel.
There are plenty of legends and myths about the healing powers of birthstones and their therapeutic use. The most common of these says that wearing a gemstone during its assigned month amplifies its healing powers, so to maximize potential benefits, an individual would own all twelve birthstones, and would wear the appropriate stone each month.
Today, birthstones correlating to the month in which you were born are popular gift items to commemorate birthdays, milestones (like graduations), and other important occasions. “Mother” jewelry is also popular; these special keepsake items commonly include the birthstone of each family member.
