November

Traditional: Topaz · Modern (1912 list): Citrine

The 1912 Jewelers of America list swapped this month's stone — both are shown above.

Birth flower
Chrysanthemum

November's traditional stone is topaz, prized historically in its golden and imperial hues and credited in some traditions with dispelling enchantment and increasing strength. The modern list, again set by the Jewelers of America in 1912, adds citrine — a yellow quartz named after the French word for lemon, citron. Citrine shares topaz's warm color, but because quartz is far more abundant than topaz, it became the cheaper, more accessible modern option.

November's birth flower is the chrysanthemum, with no alternate. It symbolizes loyalty and honesty, and in several cultures — Japan most notably, where it appears on the Imperial seal — it's also linked to longevity.

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