Illustration: Dream Marginalia

In the month of Thanksgiving, you can be thankful for an abundance of birthstones. November darlings get to choose between two gems: citrine and topaz. These sunny gemstones can look very similar and have often been mistaken for each other. They are actually unrelated minerals, and topaz occurs in a wide spectrum of colors far beyond the yellow and orange hues of citrine, which are produced by traces of iron in quartz crystals.

The gems are known for their calming energies, bringing warmth and fortune to those who wear them. - American Gem Society

Identification

Color - Citrine ranges from pale yellow to brownish orange in color. Its name originates from the citron fruit because of these lemon-inspired shades.

Topaz is most desired in its rich orange Imperial Topaz color, but is found in a variety of colors including blue, pink, and yellow.

Mohs Hardness - Citrine 7, Topaz 8

History

Throughout history, people believed that citrine carried the same powers as topaz, including the ability to calm tempers, soothe anger and manifest desires, especially prosperity. To leverage these powers, Egyptians used citrine gems as talismans, the ancient Greeks carved iconic images into them, and Roman priests fashioned them into rings. - American Gem Society

The ancient Greeks believed that topaz gave them strength. In Europe during the Renaissance (the period from the 1300s to the 1600s) people thought that topaz could break magic spells and dispel anger. For centuries, many people in India have believed that topaz worn above the heart assures long life, beauty, and intelligence.
 
The name for imperial topaz originated in nineteenth-century Russia. At the time, the Ural Mountains were topaz’s leading source, and the pink gemstone mined there was named to honor the Russian czar. Ownership of the gem was restricted to the royal family. Today, topaz sources include Ouro Prêto, Brazil, and Russia's Ural Mountains. - GIA

The state gem of Texas, topaz is also found just a stone’s throw from the fail studio.

Physical, Mystical and Spiritual Properties

In the metaphysical world, citrine is known for manifestation, imagination, and personal will. Its frequency awakens creativity and imagination, and sustains the process of making dreams and wishes come true. With its pure yellow energy, citrine encourages fullness of life, fresh beginnings and new pursuits. Natural Citrine does not hold or accumulate negative energy, but rather transmutes, dissipates, and grounds it, making it extremely protective for the environment. It works out problems on both the physical and subtle levels, transforming negative thoughts and feelings into positive ones. It is one of only two crystals that never needs to be cleared or cleansed.

For thousands of years the mere mention of Topaz has conjured thoughts of opulence and luxury, influence and generosity, vibrancy and strength. It brings true love and fidelity, friendship, and a gentle nature, bestowing the gifts of courage and wisdom, and success. Its energy, harnessed from the sun, transcends both time and space, and is one of the most loving, beneficial crystals. It brings solid, lasting energy, joy, generosity and abundance. - Crystal Vaults