Citrine

Known as the "success stone, " pale yellow Citrine, the gemstone for November, suffers from a case of mistaken identity that sometimes keeps gem lovers away from its beauty and benefits.

In nature the color of Citrine, a quartz crystal, ranges from pale yellow to brown. When cut into a gemstone, Citrine is virtually impossible to tell visually from the more valuable Yellow Topaz. This has led unscrupulous dealers to substitute Citrine for Yellow Topaz, much to the chagrin of bilked customers when they discover the truth, usually at resale.

Most commercial-grade Citrine is actually amethyst or smoky quartz that has been heated to active the ferric impurities that give its yellow color.  Citrines produced in this way tend to have more of a reddish or orange cast than natural Citrines, which are usually pale yellow. Brazil produces most of the world's gem-grade citrine.  Citrine is one of three traditional birthstones for the month of November.