If you’re a November baby, then you’re lucky enough to have the stunning Topaz as your birthstone! Derived from the Sanskrit language, the Topaz comes in a wide range of colours, including various shades of green, blue, red, yellow, pink, brown, purple, orange, and even jet black.
In ancient times, the belief was that the Topaz had the power to reduce extreme anger and cool boiling hot water. With these cooling properties, it was therefore also used medically, as a cure for fever.
What Does The Topaz Birthstone Symbolize?
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, a Topaz is the symbol of affection and love, and is believed to give intelligence and strength to the wearer. Giving a person a blue topaz as a gift, is to promise them your love and faithfulness.
How Did Birthstones Come About?
Birthstones are traditionally associated with each of the 12 months of the year, and is believed to have originated during biblical times, from the breastplate worn by Aaron. There were 12 gemstones in the front of his breastplate, said to represent the 12 different tribes of Israel. There are, however, many traditions, belief systems, and customs behind the concept of where birthstones originated.
What Exactly is Topaz?
Pure topaz has no colour whatsoever. However, moderate heat and high energy treatment can result in these colourless stones changing to a shade of blue. The aluminium in the crystals is what gives Topaz a red, and sometimes pinkish colour, with most of the other colours occurring because of faults in the crystal, and slight element replacements.
Some colours, like the brown topaz obtained from mines in Russia, are not stable, and can be bleached by sunlight and fade away. On the other hand, heat can also cause colour changes to the stones.
What Is The Chemical Name For Topaz?
The chemical term for topaz is “aluminium silicate fluoride hydroxide.” It is the hardest silicate mineral around, because of the strong chemical bonds it contains.
What Sizes Are Topaz Crystals?
Topaz range in sizes from small crystals, to enormous rocks. The largest, uncut, Topaz, can be seen on display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York; it was discovered in Brazil, and weighs roughly, a whopping 600 pounds! A magnificent yellow, cut topaz, weighing around 12 ounces, forms part of the royal crown jewels of Portugal.
Where In The World Is Topaz Found?
Topaz is found in the Ukraine, Scotland, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, as well as Japan. However, the largest producer of the gemstone in the world, is in the Minas Geranis area of Brazil.
How Topaz Was Used Centuries Ago?
The gemstone was used mainly by clergy and royalty in the Middle Ages. During the 13th century, it was believed that anyone wearing a topaz etched with a falcon, would develop the same characteristics as tycoons, princes, and kings. Centuries ago, people also believed that topaz had the power to increase wisdom, prevent metal disorders, strengthen the mind, and prevent sudden death.
There were other medical uses for topaz too. These included soaking the gem in wine for three days and then wiping the liquid across the eyes, to cure weak vision, and drinking wine to which powdered topaz had been added, to ward off insomnia and asthma.
What Type Of Jewellery Is It Used For?
With its stunning colours, hardness, and vibrant fire, Topaz is perfect for use in a wide variety of jewellery, including bracelets, brooches, necklaces, rings, earrings,clips, and as mentioned earlier, even in royal crowns!
Topaz is quite pricey because of its rarity, with the rarest and most expensive colour being red. The most popular, high-priced stones are imperial topaz - sherry-coloured, different shades of brownish-yellow, reddish brown, orange-yellow, as well as those in shades of pink.
Despite pale yellow and light blue topaz not being as valuable as the others, they are still exceptionally beautiful, and well worth adding to your jewellery collection.
Can Topaz Jewellery Be Worn At Any Time?
Versatility is one of the many reasons why anyone should choose to have and wear topaz jewellery! In fact, there is no place or any occasion where topaz jewellery cannot be worn!
So, if you have Topaz rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, hair clips, or any other item in your jewellery collection made with the stunning Topaz, go right ahead, and wear them! They are ideal to wear to work, for formal occasions, to a casual party – anywhere, anytime!
Another great, positive side to this magnificent stone, is the fact that it’s hard to tell the difference between a clear Topaz and a diamond! This,of course, makes it the perfect choice for an engagement ring, for couples who prefer the “huge” look!