Topaz is the traditional choice of birthstone. Following the zodical signs, the birthstone for November is either topaz or beryl, depending on the date of birth.
If you were born in November, topaz is the traditional choice of gemstone. However, should you closely following zodiacal signs, topaz is the birthstone for Sagittarius (born on November 21st through December 21st) and beryl is the birthstone for Scorpio (born on October 23rd to November 20th).
Sagittarius' Birthstone Topaz
Honey Colored Topaz - a topaz pendant hung on a 15 inch sterling silver chain is offered through Novica. The sterling silver used for this piece of jewelry is rhodium-plated. Rhodium provides a reflective, extremely hard and virtually tarnish-proof finish to a piece of jewelry. Most white gold is also rhodium plated. This pendant ships from Novica's Indian office and is priced under $75.
Honey colored and colorless topaz are the most commonly available specimens of this gemstone. Colorless topaz is often used in place of diamonds in jewelry and can also be irradiated to produce the honey color if not mined naturally.
Sky Blue Topaz - a sterling silver ring set with oblong (emerald) shape, faceted blue topaz gemstone. Blue topaz is produced by irradiation and heating. This is a two-step process. Colorless topaz is irradiated to produce the brown color. Processing can be stopped at this point and the gemstone sold as this color. The gemstone can also be further processed by heating to show as blue or green.
Faceting refers to cutting a gemstone so that its surface is covered with many different planes. This lapidary treatment results in the gemstone having more flash and brilliance than an unfaceted gemstone. This ring is offered by Sundance and is priced under $100.
Scorpio's Birthstone Beryl
The term beryl is a catch-all for several different gemstones. For example, emerald is green beryl and aquamarine is blue beryl. Here are two fantastic suggestions for Scorpio birthstone jewelry:
Blue Nile Aquamarine Earring - this earring is hoop style, fashioned in sterling silver. It has a pierced post with a hinged snapback assembly to hold the earring in place. Each earring is set with a 4mm round bar channel set Aquamarine. This type of channel setting uses sterling silver bars that curve around the gemstone to hold it in place.
Emerald Drop Necklace - priced at $1,499 through Sundance, this necklace is by far the most expensive of the four jewelry selections shown on this page. It is fashioned in 14K gold with a drop pendant that falls in line with the continuing charmed jewelry craze.
Three emerald briolettes are individually wire wrapped and placed on a hammered oval hanger. The hanger is attached to a 14K curb style chain necklace that is 16 inch in length. Briolette refers to a gemstone that is cut in the shape of a tear drop.
