The name topaz comes from Sanskrit, meaning fire. The golden color of the yellow topaz was believed by the Egyptians to be the glow cast by the sun god Ra. They wore yellow topaz as an amulet to protect them from injury. The Greeks believed that the stone could make a warrior invisible while on the battlefield and the Romans believed that the stone would help them to see the unseen. They often used it when preparing for battle against each other by inserting it into their armor or drinking it after it had been ground into a fine powder.
During the Middle Ages topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and it was even thought to have the power to prevent death.
Topaz occurs in a wide range of colors including red, orange, peach, pink, gold, yellow, brown, clear and blue. Red and pink topaz gems were used in the 18th and 19th Century Russian Czarinas and is why topaz is sometime called "Imperial Topaz". Topaz is found primarily in Brazil but can be found in the Middle East as well as Russia. A gift of this gemstone is said to symbolize friendship and to strengthen one's ability to give and receive love. Citrine is the alternate birthstone for November. The name Citrine comes from an old French word "citrin", meaning lemon. Citrine is one of the more rare forms of quartz. The Romans were thought to be the first to wear the yellow quartz, crafting it into cabochons to set into jewelry Citrine, like all forms of quartz was said to have magical powers and was worn as a talisman against evil thoughts and snake venom. Citrine is mostly mined in Brazil but can also be found in Bolivia and Madagascar. A gift of Citrine is symbolic of hope and strength.