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.
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Cut stones
see other November
birthstones

Rough crystals
See
Topaz
jewelry for pendant, earring, bracelet and
ring designs made with this precious gemstone.
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more blue,
green, pink and yellow color gemstones
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