Yellow November

As we have learned, the history of birthstones is varied and sometimes unclear. But birthstones are a personal choice.  For example if someone doesn’t like the color of the November birthstones of citrine or golden topaz, they may choose blue topaz.  However, since color is the traditional primary feature of the birthstone, blue topaz would not be a proper (color) stone for November, while it would be a possible alternate for December.  To complicate matters further, some stones appear in many colors.  For example, blue sapphire is the traditional birthstone for September, but sapphires come in every color of the rainbow – except for reds, which are called ruby.  Tourmalines, diamonds and garnets also display an amazing variety of colors.

So, what is the birthstone for November?  There are actually four!  The modern stones are golden topaz and citrine.  The traditional are topaz and pearl!  The ancient stone was topaz. The Tibetan calendar gives pearl as the birthstone, and East Indian lore says the stone is cat’s eye.  And what is the November birthstone color? Topaz was the traditional gemstone for November from the start, and was thought to refer to any yellow gemstones, most probably including citrine. Citrine, another traditional and modern birthstone for November, is an exclusively yellow gemstone, although this birthstone of November may occur with shades of brown or coffee. To top it all off, cat’s eye, the November stone in the Hindu calendar, is an exclusively yellow gemstone of the mineral chrysoberyl. Since the birthstones for November are characterized by the color yellow, the November birthstone color is undoubtedly yellow.

Topaz

Topaz was traditionally the birthstone for November, and remains so in modern times, though this modern November gemstone is specifically described to be yellow topaz. The history of topaz as the stone for November goes back to the old Arabic, Hebrew, Italian, Roman, Polish and Russian calendars. Before the gemstone found its way into these ancient calendars, topaz was both the zodiac stone for Sagittarius, as well as the zodiac sign’s planetary stone, having been associated with the planet Jupiter and the god of the same name.  In the medieval times the name topaz referred to any yellow gemstone, but the birthstone of November is now limited to topaz that is the transparent silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine.

Yellow topaz is a stone of optimism, love and good fortune.  It promotes openness, honesty and self-realization, and has a powerful energy to instill faith to manifest your intentions and to bring all manner of good things and attract the right people and new friendships into your life.  Topaz stabilizes the emotions, helps release tension and improve relaxation.  It soothes, heals, stimulates, aligns and recharges the meridians of the body, directing energy where it is most needed, and enhancing physical and spiritual strength.  Yellow topaz helps open, activate and balance the seventh Crown Chakra, Sahaswara, the chakra of enlightenment and spiritual connection to our higher selves, others, and to the divine. When it is in alignment, we can experience feelings of bliss, oneness, and spiritual enlightenment. Its energy also connects with the third Solar Plexus Chakra, Manipura, which is the source of personal power and self worth. When it is in balance, we can feel confident and in control of our lives.

Citrine

Like topaz, citrine was also traditionally regarded as birthstone for November, and remains a November birthstone in modern times. This birthstone of November is the yellow variety of transparent quartz, a mineral group which includes amethyst. While a lot of gemstones purported to be citrine are widely available in the market, this gemstone for November is in fact extremely rare. The gemstones represented to be the November gemstone in stores may in fact be smoky quartz or inexpensive amethyst subjected to heat treatment.

Citrine is an energizing and stimulating stone. It brings joy, delight and enthusiasm, and enhances concentration, motivation and creativity. Citrine strengthens the intellect and encourages self-expression. It releases negative traits, self-destructive tendencies, depression, fears and phobias. It attracts prosperity and success. Citrine cleanses all the chakras, but resonates especially with the second Sacral Chakra, Svadhisthana, the center of creativity and sexuality, with the third Solar Plexus Chakra, Manipura, which is the source of personal power, and with the seventh Crown Chakra, Sahaswara, the chakra of enlightenment and spiritual connection to our higher selves, others, and to the divine.

Cat’s Eye

Cat’s eye is the birthstone for November in the Hindu calendar. Also known as cymophane, this November birthstone is the yellow variety of chrysoberyl, a mineral group which includes alexandrite, the color-changing gemstone. The gemstone is distinguished for its chatoyancy or iridescent luster, which gives the November stone resemblance to the eye of the cat, hence the name cat’s eye.  Cat’s eye is one of the hardest minerals. In fact, this birthstone of November is the third hardest gemstone on earth, next only to diamond and corundum (sapphire and ruby).

Cat’s eye is a grounding and protecting stone.  It brings happiness and serenity, transforming negative thoughts into positive energy and improving self-confidence, and relieves anxiety and stress.  Cat’s eye enhances the memory and broadens perspective.  It stimulates intuition and enhances awareness, and can lead to a path of spiritual awakening.  Cat’s eye attracts good luck and fortune.  It stimulates the seventh Crown Chakra, Sahaswara, the chakra of enlightenment and spiritual connection to our higher selves, others, and to the divine.

Pearl

Pearl is a traditional birthstone for November from as far back as the 15^th century, as well as the November birthstone in the old Tibetan calendar. This stone for November is produced, not by geologic process, but through biological process, where a mollusk tries to coat a foreign irritant with calcium carbonate, commonly known as mother-of-pearl, thereby producing the round gemstone.

Pearls have long represented innocence and purity, and are known as the stone of sincerity. They bestow wisdom, and strengthen relationships. They enhance personal integrity and bring focus and balance, and to remove negative energy. Pearls align with the sixth Third Eye Chakra, Ajna, which is the center of intuition, imagination, wisdom, and the ability to think and make decisions.