Topaz

Sources: Brazil, Ukraine, Pakistan,  Mexico, Sri Lanka, Africa and China

Hardness: 8

Topaz is a gemstone that can be found in many different colors. Precious topaz ranges from bright sunny yellow to peachy-orange. Stones displaying bright red flashes are known in the trade as Imperial Topaz. The name originates from being favored by Russian Czars after being discovered in the Ural Mountains during the 18th Century. The golden color of Topaz glows in low-light environments making it a perfect evening stones. Nice champagne, natural blue and bi-color topaz can also be found in Northern Ukraine. It is recognized as one of the oldest topaz deposits in the world, estimated to be around 1.7 billion years old.

Fine color pink topaz is often the result of heating rare deep orange precious topaz at low temperatures. However, Pakistan is an important source for rare pink topaz.

 

Topaz is associated with many different legends. The Egyptians believed topaz was colored with the golden glow of the sun god and it dispelled all enchantment and helped to improve eyesight. The ancient Greeks believed that it had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency.

 

The birthstone for November, topaz is a talisman for the sign of Sagittarius.