Birthstone: November

Mineral: Topaz

Color(s): Colorless, yellow, yellow-orange, blue, violet, green, pink, pink-red

Hardness (Moh's): 7.5

Treatment(s): Heat treated, irradiated

Topaz

Topaz is a remarkable gemstone, sought-after for its clear, crisp colorless varieties as well as its phenomenal array of colors. The origins of its name are a mystery, with some people attributing it to the island of Topazios in the Red Sea. Others claim it derives from the Sanskrit word “tapas”, meaning “fire”.

Topaz has been a symbol of love, protection and splendor across dynasties- from ancient Egyptians to Russian nobility. The highly desirable warm golden-red variety of topaz, known as Imperial Topaz, was favored by Russian Czars. Topaz comes in some of the world’s largest mined crystals- the biggest can weigh up to a whopping 31,000 carats!

Origin

The most popular producer of topaz is Brazil. Topaz is still mined in the Ural Mountains of Russia, as well as Russia, Australia, Mexico, Pakistan and Utah.

Did you know?

- The El Dorado topaz currently holds the record as the world’s largest faceted gemstone, weighing in at a monstrous 31,000 carats

- Imperial Topaz was named after Russian Czars and was restricted for use only by the Czar, his family, and those who were gifted with the gem

- The 1680 cut “Braganza Diamond” that is set into the Portuguese crown is actually a spectacular colorless topaz!