November Topaz – Citrine

                    Big though topaz may be, the Roman emperor Maximillian claimed he was strong enough to break topaz with his fingers. However, there was a trick to doing this and he knew it. Even though topaz is a reasonably hard stone, it tends to shatter due to its fragile cleavage if squeezed right. Later writings said that if a person had a topaz with a falcon carved on it, the wearer would acquire the good will of royalty. I bet so.

                    Topaz got its name from the Sanskrit word of ‘tapas’ meaning fire or possibly it claimed its name from the Island of Topazos in the Red Sea. This elegant blue gem is typically thought of as light blue, and is associated with leadership ability, psychic knowing, spiritual growth and tranquility. But this beautiful gem can come in various colors with different associations. Yellow –generosity, happiness, humor, optimism, creativity, wisdom, inspiration, and love. Green — (forgiveness and understanding . Pink — honor and truth. And of course, clear (thus confused with diamonds) — communication with spirits including all animals, and all plants of the earth. Topaz can come in the very rare color of red-orange referred as ‘Imperial’.

                    As with so many gems, Topaz has been granted the powers to cure an endless list of illnesses from adenoids, deafness, obesity, gout, arthritis, negative thoughts, death and even baldness. In the 1500’s, Adamus Lonicerus claimed that a topaz could instantly cool boiling water, as well as cool passions of the flesh and extinguish ‘the carnal desire of lechery’. So, if all one needs is a topaz to cool water and a ruby to boil water, anybody for tea?

                    However, to the ancient Greeks top that association. They felt that topaz granted strength and made the wearer invisible in cases of emergency due to its watery color. Others believed the topaz’s medicinal virtues waxed and waned with the moon and was said to cure insomnia, asthma and hemorrhages. Saint Hildegard of Bingen went so far as to claim topaz would cure ‘dimness of vision’ by simply touching a wine-soaked topaz to the eyeball… Ouch. Thanks I’ll just keep mine in a piece of jewelry.

                    Now I have to admit, yellow is not a color I associate with gemstones and I have no idea why because this yellow stone is beautiful. Citrine gleaned its name from French for lemon or ‘citron’ because of its lemony color derived from traces of iron. This gem has also been referred to as a yellow topaz for example the Madeira topaz or Bahia topaz, actually are citrines.

                    Now, natural citrines are rare, but commercial citrines can be created artificially by heating a low-grade amethyst to about 900F, turning these gems to red, orange, or warm bronze-like shades. However, a true citrine is cooler to the touch. Left in the sunlight or heat for several hours, citrines can change color.

                    Because of its yellow color, citrines are easily associated with healing: urinary problems, jaundice, liver, gall bladder, and kidney ailments. They are supposedly a cure for depression, constipation, appendicitis, gangrene and cleanses vibrations in the atmosphere, helps personal clarity, brings out problems in solar plexus, and eliminates self-destructive tendencies. I wonder if it is high in vitamin C?

                    This rare and delicately beautiful gem are seen by some as a symbol of hope, youth, health and fidelity. Why? Maybe because it is precious. Since citrines are cheaper than a yellow sapphire, yellow topaz, or yellow diamond, it makes it even more prized.

                    So, if you have a November wedding, you may want to consider these two colors and even if blue and yellow are a fav color. Hey, I guess you could do that with all wedding with your favorite colors and gems.