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. Citrine is 8.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Brown, yellow, orange, sherry, red and pink Topaz is found in Brazil and Sri Lanka. Pink Topaz is found in Pakistan and Russia. Today we also have blue Topaz, which has a pale to medium blue color created by irradiation. Pale Topaz which is enhanced to become blue is found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and China. In early 1998, a new type of enhanced Topaz made its appearance, the surface-enhanced Topaz, with colors described as blue to greenish-blue or emerald green. Blue Topaz has become a popular alternative in recent years for those who prefer faceted stones. Click here for a picture in natural form. Click here for more faceted and natural specimens.

Description:

Topaz sometimes has the amber gold of fine cognac or the blush of a peach and all the beautiful warm browns and oranges in between. Some rare and exceptional Topaz are pale pink to a sherry red. 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. Sky Blue Topaz, Swiss Blue Topaz, London Blue Topaz are names used in the gem trades to refer to the depth of color. Sky blue is the lightest while London blue is the darkest blue. The name Topaz comes from the Sanskrit and means "fire"

Chemistry:

The formula for Topaz is Al₂SiO₄(F, OH)₃, Aluminum Silicate Fluoride Hydroxide. The structure of Topaz is controlled by a chain like structure of connected irregular octahedrons. These octahedrons have an aluminum in the middle surrounded by four oxygens. Above and below the aluminum are the hydroxide or fluoride ions. The chains of octahedrons are held together by individual silicate tetrahedrons but it is the octahedron chains that give topaz its crystalline shape. Topaz is the hardest silicate mineral and one of the hardest minerals in nature. However it has a perfect cleavage which is perpendicular to the chains and is caused by planes that break the weaker Al-O, Al-OH and Al-F bonds. None of the stronger Si-O bonds cross these planes. Topaz crystals can reach incredible size of several hundred pounds. Topaz can make very attractive mineral specimens due to their high luster, nice colors and well formed and multifaceted crystals.

Legends, Myths and Healing Properties:

For the Egyptians Topaz was a very powerful amulet against harm, because they believed that topaz was a gemstone colored with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. The Romans associated Topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun. Legend has it that it dispels all enchantment and helps to improve eyesight. The ancient Greeks believed that it had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. Topaz was also said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink. It was said to cure insomnia, asthma, and hemorrhages. During the Middle Ages Topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death.