Topaz is the birthstone of November
(yellow Topaz) and December (blue
Topaz), it is a talisman for the sign of
Sagittarius and the suggested anniversary gemstone for the 4th, 19th or 23rd
year of marriage.
The name Topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means fire.
Topaz occurs in a wide range of colours including red, orange, peach, pink, gold,
yellow, brown and clear and is found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Russia.
Naturally pale to medium blue Topaz is enhanced by irradiation to produce a more
intense blue colour.
Red and pink Topaz gems were used in the jewelry of the 18th and 19th Century
Russian Czarinas and is why Topaz is sometimes called "Imperial Topaz".
The most famous Topaz is actually a colourless Topaz that was originally thought
to be a diamond. It is a 1680 carat stone known as the "Braganza Diamond"
set in the Portuguese Crown Jewels. Another beautiful Topaz is in the
Green Vault in Dresden which has one of the world's most important gem
collections.
Although Topaz is a very hard gemstone, an 8 on the
Mohs scale of hardness, it
can be split with a single blow and should be protected from hard knocks.
Legend and Healing Properties
During the Middle Ages, Topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental
disorders and prevent death.
The Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer
invisible while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight. The
Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury.
Topaz), it is a talisman for the sign of
Sagittarius and the suggested anniversary gemstone for the 4th, 19th or 23rd
year of marriage. 