Topaz

Overview
A gemstone that comes in many colors and from many different parts of the world. This hard stone is often used in jewelry and is strongly associated with the astrological sign Sagittarius. Topaz is believed to increase a person's strength and improve their eyesight.

About the Stone

Topaz is a hard stone, an eight on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It can be found in many colors, including red, orange, peach, pink, gold, yellow, blue, brown, green, white, and clear. There are many techniques used to alter the color of topaz as well (more on this below). Most commercial topaz comes from Brazil, but it is also found in Sri Lanka, India, Russia, U.S., Canada, Mexico, Italy, Japan, and many other places around the world.

Topaz is strongly associated with the astrological sign Sagittarius, and is the birthstones for November (yellow topaz and citrine). Blue topaz is widely referred to as a birthstone for December, and pure topaz (clear/white) is often used in place of diamond, the birthstones for April.

Topaz is also the anniversary stone for the fourth, nineteenth, and twenty third years of marriage. The word topaz means fire in Sanskrit. Because of its hardness, topaz is usually faceted before setting it into jewelry.

Metaphysical

Topaz was used in the middle ages to heal physical and mental disorders and was believed in Ancient Egypt to protect the wearer from injury. Today, topaz is used to increase strength and improve ones eyesight.

Altered Topaz

Topaz is a stone that is often altered, creating colors not found naturally, or enhancing natural colors to be more vibrant. For example, blue topaz is often irradiated to enhance the color. Topaz is also exposed to titanium vapors, creating mystic topaz. These techniques, and others, have allowed for a whole new generation of topaz stones to emerge, and have allowed mainstream customers to purchase these beautiful stones.