Citrine is the November birthstone. Citrine is a yellow variety of quartz. The name citrine is from the French word citron which means lemon. Citrine looks very similar to topaz but is actually a softer gem and has less brilliance. In ancient times it was thought that citrine protected the wearer against evil words and thoughts.

Citrine can be yellow, gold, orange brown. Citrine can be next to amethyst and form crystals. The bi-colored quartz is called ametrine. Natural, not enhanced, citrine is rarer than amethyst. Amethyst and smoky quartz can both be enhanced by heat to turn a yellow color.

Of all the birthstones, perhaps none are as determinedly cheerful as November's birthstones. The modern birthstone for November is the yellow topaz, a bright yellow gemstone that looks like crystallized sunshine. The warm gold tones of yellow topaz are particularly appropriate for November, as it matches the colors of the leaves on the trees. In fact, a yellow topaz is almost like the best part of autumn in gem form--and you can wear it all year round!

November's alternate birthstone, citrine, is just as yellow as the yellow topaz, but lighter and, if possible, even brighter. If yellow topaz is the crystallized color of the autumn leaves, then citrine is sunshine in spring--perfect for wearing through those long, dreary days between November and April! In fact, November's birthstone makes an excellent birthday gift, as a reminder of warmth and love and cheer throughout the winter months.

The citrine and the topaz have long been thought to cure depression, so besides being excellent birthday gifts for "the last beautiful month of autumn", they also make thoughtful and appropriate gifts year-round for those who may be going through difficult or trying times. Similarly, citrine has long been regarded as the gem of friendship, so there is no time of year when a gift of citrine would be out of place. However, its bright yellow tones, like the leaves of hickory trees after the first frost, make it particularly suited to its place as November's birthstone.

If, however, you dislike yellow, or find the colors of the topaz and citrine too bright or childish for your tastes, November's alternate birthstone is the turquoise, a rich blue stone that makes up in sophistication whatever the topaz or the citrine might seem to lack. If yellow topaz is the warmth of autumn leaves, then the turquoise is the depth of autumn's velvety sky. With good reason, turquoise often symbolizes infinitude and endurance, and it was considered a sacred stone by the American Indians, who called it "the tears of the sky".

It would be hard to find two stones more dissimilar than the turquoise and the citrine, or the turquoise and the yellow topaz, and yet all three stones contain the very essence of autumn in their rich hues, whether it be turquoise's enchanting blues or the delightful yellow-gold of citrine and yellow topaz.

The traditional november birthstone is the Citrine, but the mystical tradition has the pearl and the Ayurvedics use the Topaz. Other traditions use the Diamond (which isn't a bad gem to use for just about anything. )

Way back when citrine was carried to protect against evil thoughts and snake venom. In modern times, people who use crystals for healing use Citrine for upliftment. Citrine encourages the yellow ray to support the body. This stone also helps one process energy work.

Citrine is a quartz crystal,

or cluster of quartz crystals, that is orange to yellow in color. As such, while being a very pretty stone it's not in the same class as diamonds and rubies. Citrine is much less common than Quartz, but it's hadly rare or exotic.

Named from the French word for lemon,"citron" many citrines have a juicy lemon color, but like all gemstones, there is a range of colors and they can all be exhibited as "citrine."

Usually citine, in its natural form, is actually a paler yellow. Heating darkens the color and give it the more desireable orange/yellow color. For this reason citrine jewelry should be kep away from prolonged expusure to light or heat.

Much of the citrine on the market actually started its life as lesser quality amethyst, which was then heated to turn its color to gold. For this reason all of your citrine jewelry, as well as your amethyst jewelry, should be kept away from prolonged exposure to strong light or heat. With this precaution, citrine jewelry will last for many generations.

The darker, orange colors of citrine, sometimes called Madeira citrine, after the color of the wine, has generally been the most valued color. in modern times many people prefer the bright lemony shades, which mix better with pastel colors of clothing.

Citrine is generally more inexpensive than amethyst and is also available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, including very large sizes.

Sometimes you will hear citrine referred to as topaz quartz, which is incorrect. This name was used in the past in reference to the color, which is sometimes similar to the color of topaz. Since topaz is a separate mineral, this type of name can be confusing and should not be used. However, citrine is considered an alternative to topaz as the birthstone for November.