Gemstones Glossary

More gem stone info and resources


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Gems

Agate(s)
Amazonite
Amber
Amethyst
Ammolite
Ammonite
Aquamarine
Aventurine
Azurite-Malachite
Beryl
Bloodstone
Blue Opal
Bone
Boulder Opal
Carnelian
Chalcedony
Charoite
Chinese Writing Stone
Chrysocolla
Chrysoprase
Citrine
Dinosaur Bone
Drusy
Emerald
Garnet
Gaspeite
Gibeon Meteorite
Hematite
Jade
Jasper
Kono Dolomite
Labradorite
Lapis Lazuli
Larimar
Malachite
Meteorite
Montana Agate
Moonstone
Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper
Onyx
Opal
Opalite
Orthoceras
Palm Wood
Pearl
Pectolite
Peridot
Peruvian Opal
Petoskey Stone
Picasso Marble
Poppy Jasper
Quantum Quattro
Rhodochrosite
Ruby in Zoisite
Rutilated Quartz
Sapphire
Spectrolite
Stone Canyon Jasper
Sugilite
Tanzanite
Tiffany Stone
Tiger's Eye
Topaz
Tourmaline
Turquoise
Variscite
 

 

 

Topaz Facts, Information and Description

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. See the birthstone tables for additional references to this stone.

The name topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means fire.

Topaz occurs in a wide range of colors 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 color.

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 colorless 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.

 

Folklore, 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
Cut stones

see other November birthstones

topaz rough
Rough crystals

 

pendantSee Topaz jewelry for pendant, earring, bracelet and ring designs made with this precious gemstone.

 

more blue, green, pink and yellow color gemstones

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Sources of Information:
The Curious Lore of Precious Stones
by G.F. Kunz. J.D. Lippincott. 1913
The Mineral Gallery http://mineral.galleries.com/
The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom http://www.minerals.net/
International Colored Gemstone Association http://gemstone.org/
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals Alfed A. Knopf 1979
Stones - Their Collection, Identification and Uses by R. V. Dietrich. Geoscience Press. 1980
Guide to Gems and Precious Stones Simon & Schuster 1986
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
Gems and Jewelry by Joel E. Arem. Geoscience Press. 1992
Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore by Bruce G. Knuth. Jeweler's Press 1999
Healing Crystals by Cassandra Eason. Vega 2003