The topaz has been known to the human kind for at least 2000 years and it has been highly praised and admired ever since its discovery for the beauty and charm it exudes. The most common color in which this stone can be found is the yellow-brown one, but the most treasured is still the amazingly-sparkling blue topaz. Considered the birthstone for all those who have seen the light of the world for the first time during the month of November, the topaz has always been attributed a high rank and thought to be an exquisite and exotic appearance in the family of gems.

History. Topaz is one of the gemstones with the richest historical background, as its splendidness has been highly appreciated throughout the centuries. The gem that had been dedicated by the ancient Romans to Jupiter, topaz ranges among the so-called apocalyptic crystals and stones and it was used for the foundations of the twelve gates to the Holy City of the New Jerusalem. It is mentioned by the ancient Greeks as 'the stone of strength' and it was widely used during the Medieval times for its healing properties and for its ability to help the wearer give a wide berth to death.

 

Furthermore, this crystal that is the state gemstone for Utah is mentioned repeatedly in many modern English translations of the Bible and was very popular with the Empire style. The term 'topaz' is believed to derive from the Greek old name of the St. John's Island found in the Red Sea, which is well-known for its lands abundant in the olivine mineral, out of which the 'evening emerald' peridot gem is made. And, indeed, the name 'topazos' in Greek and Sanskrit means 'green stone'. On the other hand, during the Middle Ages the term that today refers strictly to the topaz crystal was used to denote any yellow gemstone.

Variety. Topaz is a fluorine aluminum silicate and, besides its purity and beyond-all-doubt beauty, it is famous for its ability to change color when heated. This particularity of the gem was tracked down for the first time by a Parisian jeweler around the year of 1750, who, to his awe, found that upon heating brownish-yellow topaz crystals turn to reddish-pink, while the light-yellow ones turn to a white-transparent shade. Furthermore, when irradiated, the topaz changes color to various tones of blue, from bright to deep-electric blue. However, the latest trend in the manufacture of topaz is applying a thin layer of titanium oxide to the stone so that it displays iridescent colors, making it look astonishing when embedded in precious metals for a piece of jewelry.

The topaz comes in a variety of shades and colors, starting from a fair, transparent shade of yellow-brown to clear-white, gray, pink, orange, red, blue, green etc. There are many famous topaz crystals around the world, due to their alluring color and appearance or to their size, among which the biggest topaz gem found up to now is listed. Named 'El Dorado', it was found in Brazil in 1984 and belongs to the British Royal Collection. Just to make an idea about why this crystal is so famous, we have to mention that it weighs exactly 6.2 kg.

Topaz crystals are mined in Brazil, in western Utah from the Topaz Mountain, in the Ural and Ilmen mountains and also in Gernamny, Norway, Italy, Sweden, the US, Mexico, Afghanistan, Zech Republic, Pakistan etc.

Uses. Topaz is extensively and almost exclusively used nowadays for ornamental purposes, due to its astonishing beauty and particular charm it exudes and the large array of hues it comes in. But it is also used for therapeutic purposes, as this crystal is believed to be laden with positive energy which can protect one's health and emotions.

Therapy. The most remarkable beneficial effects of the topaz lie in its ability to cool down one's spirit and to bring peace and harmony into his life. It is well-known for the fact that it offers protection against nightmares and irrational fear and anxiety and is also very helpful in chasing away depression, distress and anger. There is also a myth related to the strong cooling effect of the topaz crystal, according to which if one puts his hand into boiling water after this gem has been thrown in it, he can retract his limb out of the water unharmed. However, this myth is still an alleged story up to the present times, therefore no one should try this out.

During ancient times, the topaz was said to be very potent as a fertility stone, as it could help sterile women get pregnant and also improved the quality of their life by bringing optimism and happiness in it. But this gemstone also had very beneficial effects on males, as it promoted beauty and intelligence in them.

Topaz is also the lucky gemstone for the following signs: Scorpio (in the European horoscope) and Horse (in the Chinese horoscope).