November birthstones

November birthstones: Topaz and Citrine

November has two birthstones: Topaz and Citrine. Both GIA and the American Gem Society list both.

Topaz

A hard gem (8 on the Mohs scale) whose perfect cleavage makes it prone to chipping or cracking.

Colors: Colorless when pure; Brownish orange to yellow (precious topaz); Orange with pink undertones (imperial topaz, the most prized); Blue (rare in nature, usually from treatment)
Mohs hardness: 8
Everyday wear: Wear with care
Found in: Brazil (largest producer), Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka

For much of history, all yellow gems were called topaz, and all topaz was thought to be yellow.

Topaz meaning, colors and care →

Citrine

Yellow to golden orange quartz, colored by traces of iron. Most citrine sold is heat treated amethyst or smoky quartz.

Colors: Light yellow to warm golden orange
Mohs hardness: 7
Everyday wear: Good for everyday wear
Found in: Brazil (largest supplier), Spain, Bolivia, France

Citrine looks so much like yellow topaz that the two November stones have long been confused.

Citrine meaning, colors and care →

Which November birthstone should you choose?

Pick by color, budget and how the piece will be worn. Harder, tougher stones suit rings worn every day; softer ones last longer as pendants or earrings.

Stone	Mohs	Everyday wear	Warm soapy water	Ultrasonic
Topaz	8	Wear with care	Safe (the best method)	Avoid
Citrine	7	Good for everyday wear	Safe	Usually safe, except rare dyed or fracture filled stones

Compare: Topaz vs Citrine

November birthstone gift ideas

The right piece depends on how tough the stone is. These suggestions follow GIA's hardness and toughness notes for each stone.

Stone	Best as	Why
Topaz	Pendants and earrings, or a protected ring	Can chip or scratch, so a pendant or earrings is the safer gift. For a ring, choose a protective bezel setting and occasional wear.
Citrine	Rings, pendants and earrings	Durable for most jewelry, including rings, with a little care. Take rings off for heavy work.

For a mom: a pendant or bracelet with each child's birthstone. Mix tougher stones with delicate ones only in pendants.
For a partner: stud earrings or a simple pendant in her own stone are easy to wear with anything.
Before you buy: ask whether the stone has been treated, and get it in writing. Treatments change how a stone should be cleaned.

See every month in our birthstone gift guide by month.

Traditional November birthstones

Before the US list was standardized in 1912, the traditional stones for November were: Topaz, pearl. How the list changed.

Caring for Topaz and Citrine

Topaz: warm soapy water: safe (the best method); ultrasonic: avoid; steam: avoid. Details
Citrine: warm soapy water: safe; ultrasonic: usually safe, except rare dyed or fracture filled stones; steam: not recommended (avoid heat). Details

Frequently asked questions

What is the November birthstone?

Topaz and Citrine. A hard gem (8 on the Mohs scale) whose perfect cleavage makes it prone to chipping or cracking.

What color is the November birthstone?

Topaz: colorless when pure. Citrine: light yellow to warm golden orange.

Why does November have 2 birthstones?

Extra stones were added to the US list by jewelry trade groups to give more choice of color and price (in 1952, 2002 and 2016).

Is the November birthstone durable?

Topaz is 8 on the Mohs scale (wear with care). Citrine is 7 on the Mohs scale (good for everyday wear).

Sources: American Gem Society: Birthstones, GIA: The Beauty of Birthstones, and the GIA care guide and AGS overview for each stone (linked on its page). Checked October 16, 2026.