So somehow, Amber drew the short straw and didn't manage to qualify for the 'Birthstones' category. With our love affair with Amber growing stronger everyday, we're breaking society's constrictive barriers and squeezing our beautiful Baltic stone into this elite gemstone group. However, we say November is Amber Month.

November's birthstones are both Citrine and Topaz. Topaz is highly desired in its rich orange form, but can be found in a variety of blue, pink and yellow hues. Citrine on the other hand is type of quartz with a strong shade of golden yellow.

Despite November's stigma as a gloomy and dark month, the warm tones of these birthstones are said to be a gift from the sun. 

November is clearly Baltic Birthstone's favourite month. The orange and sunset hues of the Topaz and Citrine birthstones are an obvious hallmark of the most commonly occurring form of Baltic Amber. 

The similarity between amber and the November birthstones lies not only in its colour but also in its lore and legends. Just like Amber, citrine is well known as the “healing quartz”, rumoured to increase vitality, improve health and ameliorate well-being for its wearer. The legend of Amber's healing properties dates back to the "Father of Modern Medicine" - Hippocrates (460-377BC), as he often encouraged the medical application of Baltic Amber.

Amber is a much more thoughtful gift alternative to citrine, as each stone is unique in its colour, composition and history. The internal flakes and beauty of amber bares no comparison to its Citrine birthstone counterpart. As for Topaz, it is an expensive semi precious stone as a result of its rarity. Therefore Baltic Amber offers a more affordable and more unique alternative birthstone.

Take a look at some gorgeous gifts for the November babies amongst us...