Topaz Gemstone

Topaz precious stone has been used in jewellery for centuries, often in amulets where it was believed to be associated with success and glory. 

The name "topaz" is dirived from the Sanskrit word for "fire", tapas.

Silver Blue Topaz Necklace

Birthstone

Topaz - in all of its many colours - is one of the November birthstones. 

Colours

Topaz appears in a multitude of colours and heat-treating it can change its colour - like creating pink topaz from heating yellow topaz. Clear topaz can change to blue when heating it and these are often indistinguisable from aquamarine. 

Natural pink topaz stones are the rarest and fetch a high price. 

Sky Blue Topaz and London Blue Topaz are beautiful and quite different shades of blue.

Gold London Blue & White Topaz Trillion Cut Gemstone Pendant

A red topaz is called "Imperial Topaz" was only found in the old Russia and, at one point, only royals were permitted to wear it.

Mystic Topaz is a created topaz but creates a mesmerising array of colours of purple, blue and green.  

Hardness

Having a Moh's Hardness scale of 8 means topaz is a very hard stone and can be worn as an everyday gemstone. But it can be brittle so care needs to be taken with cutting it and wearing it and it is advisable not to clean it in the ultrasonic machine. 

Crystals

The crystal structure of topaz have square or rhombohedral cross sections.

Silver Blue Topaz & Amethyst Earrings

Geography

Topaz occurs in vocanic lavas and igneous rocks. Light blue topaz is found in the USA. Pink Topaz is found in Pakistan. Topaz is found in quantities of different colurs in Brazil.

Metaphysical Properties

Clogau Celebration Ring with White Topaz

Said to release tension, stablise emotions, and much like its fellow November birthstone Citrine, it is a great "success" gemstone.

In India it was believed that wearing Topaz above the heart is said to prolong life. Shaman's used topaz in their healing rituals. 

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