Topaz is commonly known as a beautiful light blue stone though it does come in many colors such as yellow, white and pink.
Blue Topaz is much less expensive than aquamarine and as such very popular. It looks beautiful in rings, bracelets, necklaces, and pendants.
Topaz Care, Treatments & Where
As with all gems, protect topaz rings from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as leaving it be a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean this gemstone in a home ultrasonic cleaner. The best way to clean this beautiful gem is warm soapy water.
Clear topaz is commonly irradiated and heat treated to become other colors such as blue. Yellow and brown topaz is often heat treated to become pink topaz. Natural pink topaz is rare.
Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here:
"Bohemian Topaz", "Madeira Topaz" and "Occidental topaz" are really yellow quartz (also known as citrine).
"Nevada topaz" is really smoky obsidian.
"Spanish topaz" is really orange-brown quartz.
Topaz is found in Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, and USA (Colorado, Maine and Utah).
Topaz Themed Books
Topaz Gem-related books:
Topaz Gem-related books:
Gemstone Buying Guide: A Guide to Buying - by Renee Newman Very nice gemstone identification book.
Gemstones of the World - by Walter Schumann A very well written source on gemstones with great descriptions and photographs
Books with Topaz in the Title:
Topaz - by Beverly Jenkins Romance Story
Journey to Topaz - by Yoshiko Uchida, Donald Carrick (Illustrator) Child and her family are sent to Camp Topaz during World War II.
Topaz Dreams - by Marilyn Campbell Romance Story Topaz Care, Treatments & Where
Topaz comes in many colors such as blue, yellow, pink, brown, green and clear. Orange-red "Imperial" topaz is rare. Topaz has a hardness of 8.
As with all gems, protect topaz rings from scratches and sharp blows. Also avoid large temperature changes (such as leaving it be a heater vent or in a hot car). Do not clean this gemstone in a home ultrasonic cleaner. The best way to clean this beautiful gem is warm soapy water.
Clear topaz is commonly irradiated and heat treated to become other colors such as blue. Yellow and brown topaz is often heat treated to become pink topaz. Natural pink topaz is rare.
Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here:
"Bohemian Topaz", "Madeira Topaz" and "Occidental topaz" are really yellow quartz (also known as citrine).
"Nevada topaz" is really smoky obsidian.
"Spanish topaz" is really orange-brown quartz.
Topaz is found in Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, and USA (Colorado, Maine and Utah).
- November Birthstone: Modern Birthstone [Yellow Topaz], Ayurvedic Birthstone [all colors]
- December Birthstone: Modern Birthstone [Blue Topaz]
- Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Birthstone
- Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21): Birthstone, Planetary Stone, Lucky Charm
Topaz is used for strength, wisdom and courage.
The name "topaz" is thought to be derived from the Sankrit word tapas meaning fire. However, more likely, it probably derived its name from the Island of Topazos, in the Red Sea.
In ancient times, a figure of a falcon was carved on a Topaz was thought to help aquire the goodwill of kings, princes and magnates.
The Greeks felt Topaz gave them strength.
The Romans thought Topaz could help one avoid poisons.
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