November Birthstones: Citrine and Topaz Jewellery

November 16, 2023

By Livia Primo Lack

12 min read

The two birthstones of November express the contrasting yet complementary tones of the fall season: Citrine – the yellows, oranges and browns of falling leaves, whilst topaz also offers the bright blue chilly skies and puddles after a rainy day. Let’s learn more about these two beautiful yet underappreciated gems…

Like in many industries, the world of luxury products is subject to change; trends come and go, and what is deemed ‘fashionable’ changes periodically. Gemstones are no exception to this rule, with colours moving in and out of the limelight with every change in season. This is the case with citrine and topaz, which historically fell out of favour due to the rise of more vividly coloured precious gems such as the Paraiba tourmaline and spessartite garnets. Today, however, they seem to have made a comeback, with many high jewellery houses that are famous for their love of colour starting to use the sunshine yellow and vibrant blue tones of these two gems as accents and even focal points in their high jewellery creations.

Caratell necklace with Imperial topaz in white gold

Caratell necklace with Imperial topaz in white gold

The topaz gemstone comes in a spectrum of colours. In its natural state, it is a golden brown to yellow, with rich caramel, oranges and browns being its most sought-after hue. However, in 1750, a Parisian jeweller discovered that the yellow Brazilian topaz became pink when exposed to moderate heat, creating a new colourway for this versatile gem. Impurities can also cause topaz to become red, grey, reddish-orange and pale green. Another sought-after colour variety of topaz is blue, with Imperial topaz and sky-blue topaz becoming more frequently used in fine and high jewellery designs. High Jewellery house Mikimoto expressed its appreciation for this versatile gem in its Praise to the Sea Coral Reef high jewellery necklace, using warm topaz gemstones to bring to life the vibrant tones of this underwater creature. Chanel also expressed its love of topaz this year with the Tweed Solitaire cocktail ring, which features a 13.35-carat elongated orange topaz at its focal point.

Model wearing the Mikimoto Coral high jewellery necklace in white gold, morganite, topaz, garnet, sapphire and diamond from the Praise to the Sea collection

Model wearing the Mikimoto Coral high jewellery necklace in white gold, morganite, topaz, garnet, sapphire and diamond from the Praise to the Sea collection

 Chanel High Jewellery Tweed Solaire ring in gold, topaz, beryl and diamond, featuring a 13.35-ct marquise-cut Imperial topaz from the Tweed Again

Chanel High Jewellery Tweed Solaire ring in gold, topaz, beryl and diamond, featuring a 13.35-ct marquise-cut Imperial topaz from the Tweed Again

 Tiffany & Co. Star Urchin pendant in platinum, gold, carnelian and diamond, featuring a 10-ct Imperial topaz from the 2023 Blue Book collection

Tiffany & Co. Star Urchin pendant in platinum, gold, carnelian and diamond, featuring a 10-ct Imperial topaz from the 2023 Blue Book collection

 Sunita Nahata ring in white gold, featuring a 41.06-ct topaz and diamonds

Sunita Nahata ring in white gold, featuring a 41.06-ct topaz and diamonds

Citrines have also made a resurgence on the high jeweller scene. This quartz variety can be found in medium yellow and golden to reddish brown tones, which can be seen at Charlotte Reedtz, Sunita Nahata, Isabelle Langlois and many other designers on our radar. It may be fair to say, however, that their most popular era might be behind them, as the ancient Romans were famous for their love of citrine jewels, which they would use to create cameos or intaglios for rings and other precious pieces for self-adornment. In its latest high jewellery collection – Le Grand Tour, Van Cleef & Arpels gives a nod to this citrine-obsessed era, using an intaglio produced between the 1st and 2nd centuries on an 8.62-carat cabochon of citrine as the heart of the Fresque Céleste clip. The engraving, representing a crescent moon and stars, stands out clearly in the deep honey-yellow of the material. Last but not least, the colour-obsessed jewellery house Bulgari used the warm golden tones of citrine in its Oriental Fantasy necklace to bring to life the rich tones of the warm desert dunes.

Van Cleef & Arpels Fresque Céleste clip in gold, white gold, a 8.62-ct carved cabochon-cut citrine and diamonds from Le Grand Tour High Jewellery collection

Van Cleef & Arpels Fresque Céleste clip in gold, white gold, a 8.62-ct carved cabochon-cut citrine and diamonds from Le Grand Tour High Jewellery collection

 Bulgari Oriental Fantasy necklace in gold, with nine mandarine garnets of more than 90-cts, citrine, mother-of-pearl, black onyx and diamond from the East Meets West chapter of the Bulgari Mediterranea high jewellery collection

Bulgari Oriental Fantasy necklace in gold, with nine mandarine garnets of more than 90-cts, citrine, mother-of-pearl, black onyx and diamond from the East Meets West chapter of the Bulgari Mediterranea high jewellery collection

 Charlotte Reedtz earrings in gold, citrine

Charlotte Reedtz earrings in gold, citrine

 Isabelle Langlois Flora Lotus ring in gold and citrine

Isabelle Langlois Flora Lotus ring in gold and citrine

As you can see, whether a centre stone or used as accents for detail, topaz and citrine are gems that are on the rise. Below, we have compiled a selection of the best and brightest citrine and topaz jewels for the lucky November-born among you, as well as for anyone who has an affection for these vibrant gemstones. Which one will you choose this November?

Boghossian

Boghossian

Jewellery suite with citrine and diamonds in yellow gold

Aisha Baker

Aisha Baker

'Majesty' ring with citrine and enamel in yellow gold

Cartier

Cartier

Ring with citrine, sapphires, amethysts and diamonds in yellow gold

CICADA

CICADA

Ring in rose gold, diamond and topaz

Boucheron

Boucheron

Serpent Bohème earrings with citrine and diamonds in yellow gold

Nadine Aysoy

Nadine Aysoy

'Tsarina' ring with topaz and diamonds in white gold

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

Earrings with citrine, emerald and diamonds in yellow gold

Atelier Tasaki

Atelier Tasaki

High jewellery necklace with topaz, sapphire, garnet and diamonds in white gold

Le Vian

Le Vian

Necklace in white gold, diamonds, precious gems and blue topaz

Sarah Ho

Sarah Ho

Earrings with Imperial topaz, conch pearls and diamonds in rose gold

Amrapali

Amrapali

Earrings with topaz in yellow gold

Carol Kauffman

Carol Kauffman

'Magic' earrings with topaz, emerald, sapphire and diamonds in yellow gold

Hemmerle

Hemmerle

Earrings with Imperial topaz and conch pearls in pink gold and copper

Alanina

Alanina

Swiss Blue Topaz Earrings

Chanel

Chanel

'Secrets d'Orient' topaz bracelet with citrine and diamonds in yellow and white gold

CICADA

CICADA

Earings in blackened gold, diamond and topaz

Pierre Sterlé

Pierre Sterlé

Necklace with citrine and diamond in yellow gold

Alice Cicolini

Alice Cicolini

'Silver Tile Swiss' ring with topaz and enamel in yellow gold

Amwaj

Amwaj

earrings in white gold, diamond and blue topaz

Alice van Cal

Alice van Cal

The Journey ring in gold, blue topaz and citrine

Pomellato

Pomellato

'Ritratto' ring with London blue topaz and diamonds in yellow gold

Piaget

Piaget

'Limelight' ring with citrine and quartz in yellow gold

Verdura

Verdura

'Candy' rings with citrine, topaz and iolite in yellow gold

Yvonne Leon

Yvonne Leon

Bague Dôme Soleil in gold, diamond and citrine

Chanel

Chanel

'Secrets d'Orient' necklace with topaz and diamonds in yellow and white gold

Toktam

Toktam

Necklace in gold and citrine

David Webb

David Webb

Ring with citrine, topaz and diamonds in yellow gold

Chaumet

Chaumet

'Lueurs D'Orage' ring with Imperial topaz, sapphires and diamonds in white gold

Ashley Zhang

Ashley Zhang

Art Deco Ring in white gold, diamond and pink topaz

Yvonne Leon

Yvonne Leon

Earrings in gold, diamond and citrine

Jacquie Aiche

Jacquie Aiche

Necklace in gold featuring graduated round blue topaz

Kaltham's Pavillion

Kaltham's Pavillion

Ring in white gold, diamond and citrine

Mindi Mond

Mindi Mond

Earrings in gold, diamond and citrine

Stone Fine Jewelry

Stone Fine Jewelry

Citrine Bezel Set Rivière necklace in gold and citrine

Alice van Cal ring

Alice van Cal ring

Blue Tit ring in gold, diamond, blue topaz, citrine and peridot

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