Yellow is the color most often associated with Topaz, although colors can range from colorless, to pink, to sherry, to dark orange-red, and all varieties of blue. When worn as an amulet, Topaz was said to drive away sadness, strengthen the intellect, and bestow courage.

Citrine – a variety of Quartz - was so often mistaken as Topaz, it was finally considered an alternate birthstone for November. Citrine was adapted from the French word citron, meaning lemon. The colors can range from very pale yellow to red-orange, to orange-brown.