Topaz

Today the most common and most affordable Topaz is produced in various shades of blue in a laboratory-controlled procedure. Clear natural Topaz, mainly from Brazil, is eradiated to brown colour and then heated to make blue (sold under names such as “Swiss Blue”, “London Blue” and “Sky Blue”). Good natural blue is rare as is the pink “Imperial Topaz”. Other varieties in the market are a smoky “Golden Topaz” and the colourless materials called “Silver Topaz”.In earlier times the name topaz mainly referred to a gemstone now called olivine extracted on an island then known as Topazos or St. John in the Red Sea. It was probably also given to other yellow stones which were indistinguishable from one another without adequate knowledge of chemistry and mineralogy. Topaz is said to have been one of the stones used in the breastplate of the ancient high priest and was the ninth foundation stone in the wall of the new Jerusalem. Topaz is considered quite precious by the African bushmen, being used in ceremonies for healing and for connecting with spirits. the stone is believed to bring health and wealth and to protect the holder against danger. In healing it is said to “activate” the lungs, preventing colds and tuberculosis, to improve eyesight and relieve stress. Some say that if you put a topaz under your pillow at night it will soothe the nerves and energize the body during sleep. Topaz is the birthstone for November, symbolizing fidelity, and the zodiac gem for Sagittarius (22 November to 21 December).