November's Birthstone

Topaz is the birthday for November. The name topaz, comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "fire," because in ancient times topaz was used to control heat. It was believed that topaz had to power to instantly cool boiling water as well as heated anger. Topaz's abilities to cool things even extended to medicine where it was believed to be able to cure raging hot fevers.

Topaz comes from the family of silicate minerals. Having very strong chemical bonds within this mineral, topaz is the hardest of all silicate minerals. As a result, some samples are huge. Samples come in a wide variety of sizes with the largest, found in Brazil, weighing almost 600 pounds! This sample can be seen at the Museum of Natural History in New York.

Though topaz may not have such magical abilities to cool heat, it certainly is a beautiful gem. Topaz occurs in a range of colours - from blue to pale green to varying shades of yellow, pink, red brown and sometimes, a rare black. Pure topaz however, is a colourless stone, the colours come from impurities.

Red and some pink topaz gets it's colour from chromium that has substituted itself for aluminum in the crystals. Other colours come from other impurities or defects in the crystal itself. It is interesting that some colours are actually unstable and can change. For example, brown topaz, mined in Siberia fades to nearly colorless when exposed to sunlight. In other samples, colour can be changed by heating and electricity, which could explain the roots to the idea that topaz itself could affect heat. Using moderate heat, colorless topaz can be changed to very attractive shades of blue.

Topaz is one of the most favorite gems for use in jewelry because of it's range of colours and it's hardness. Pure colourless topaz has even been mistaken for diamonds (and jewelry collectors should beware,) because it is so hard. Topaz is immensely popular in necklaces, brooches, bracelets and clips. Because topax is quite rare, however, it is rather an expensive gem.

The most valued and rarest colour for topaz is red. Imperial topaz -- sherry colored varieties of brownish-yellow, orange-yellow and reddish brown -- are the most popular topaz stones and command the highest prices, as do pink colored stones. Light blue and pale yellow topaz are more common and of less value, but are nevertheless stunning in beauty.

Brazil is the largest producer of topaz, the most notable source being the Minas Geranis region. Gems are also found in Russia, the Ukraine, Pakistan, Scotland, Japan and Sri Lanka. In the United States, the gemstones have been found in Colorado and California.

During the Middle Ages, the topaz was used mostly by royalty and clergy. A 13th century belief held that a topaz engraved with a falcon helped its wearer cultivate the goodwill of kings, princes and magnates.

Topaz was once thought to strengthen the mind, increase wisdom, and prevent mental disorders. It was thought to guard against sudden death. Powdered topaz added to wine was used to prevent asthma and insomnia. A cure for weak vision called for immersing the stone in wine for three days and nights, then rubbing the liquid on the eyes.

A famous cut topaz in history can be found among the crown jewels of Portugal, a magnificent yellow stone weighing 12 ounces.

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