November Birthstones

November has two birthstones - topaz and citrine. Topaz is usually thought of as a blue stone, but it also comes in yellow, orange, pink, and green. Topaz is a relatively durable semi-precious stone, scoring an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Extreme heat or pressure can crack topaz stones, but it is not very sensitive to light or chemicals. Still, it's best to use regular soap and water to clean topaz.

Citrine is a type of quartz. It actually starts as an amethyst and turns yellow when treated with heat. It is also pretty durable, with a score of 7 on the Mohs scale. Extreme heat or cold can fracture citrine and should be avoided. To clean citrine, it's best to use soap and water.

Both citrine and topaz are lovely in a variety of settings and can add color to your collection.