In the world of gemology, the month of November brings us the Topaz stone.
The origin and name of Topaz come from a deposit of this stone located on the island of Zebirget in the Red Sea, formerly called Topazos.
Traditionally used in jewelry, especially by kings and in various eras throughout history, topaz was considered a good substitute for diamonds, since one of its varieties is colorless.
However, Topaz is a stone that due to its silicon-based chemical composition, can appear in a wide variety of colors. Perhaps the best known is Blue Topaz, where colors can resemble aquamarine which is a light and transparent blue, to a more intense turquoise (Swiss) or darker (London) blue. The more intense the blue, the higher the price of the stone.
In addition to being blue or colorless, Topaz can also be yellowish-brown, pinkish-brown, golden yellow, orange, or sherry. This last color, which is very rare and a highly prized variety, is usually called Imperial Topaz.
Imperial Topaz, considered the quintessential topaz, is very difficult to find. It usually comes from Brazil in Minas Gerais and its coloration is attributed to traces of ferric iron. The most precious and most expensive specimens also contain chromium and their brown color is therefore more intense.
We know that for thousands of years, Topaz was used by many civilizations in the making of jewelry, ornaments, and crowns - because it was always considered to be one of the most powerful amulets. The Egyptians believed that the golden glow of imperial topaz came from the sun god Ra himself; The Romans associated the stone with Jupiter; ancient Greeks believed that it had supernatural powers, and in the Middle Ages, it was associated with the planet Venus.
In popular traditions, yellow Topaz is a symbol of burning; it ensures wealth and protects crops. It is usually accompanied by feelings of friendship and peace. Undoubtedly a stone that in addition to being beautiful, was already being used in the Middle Ages to protect the aura and provide relaxation. It is thought to be so powerful, that it encourages forgiveness and helps us to see the truth!
The only way to know for sure, is to wear one!
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