Topaz is a gemstone that occurs in a wide range of colours. Topaz is the birthstone for November and used as the anniversary gemstone for the 4th and 23rd year.
The origin of the name Topaz is unclear, it has widely been attributed to the island of Topazios, but Topaz has never been found there, however in older texts and before the sciences of mineralogy, crystallography and gemmology advanced, it was often mistaken for Peridot which was found there. There is also some evidence that it could be from the Sanskrit word tapaz meaning “fire”, possibly due to the beautiful pinks, read and oranges it can occur in.
Topaz has many properties attributed to it as a healing or protective stone. In the 13th Century it was said to help with dim vision, if soaked in wine 3 three days then rubbed on the eyelids. The Greeks believed it gave strength. During the Renaissance times was thought to cure spells, and during this time a Topaz owned by two Popes was thought to be able to cure the plague when pressed upon sores caused by it. In modern crystal healing Topaz is thought to combat negative emotions and aid sleep.
Much Topaz that is found is colourless and it is this material that is regularly irradiated to produce blue Topaz or coated to produce gemstones of many and sometimes multi colours, these treated gemstones are widely used in everyday jewellery to great effect. However, it has had the effect of somewhat devaluing Topaz in the public eye. Topaz can also occur in a wide range of natural colours, from muted browns, to beautiful vibrant yellow, orange, pinks and red, as well as green and blue. Some of the reddish coloured Topaz, classed as Imperial Topaz is in fact highly valued by gem dealers, collectors and connoisseurs all over the world.
Topaz used in jewellery is usually without inclusions visible to the naked eye, but some stones can have interesting liquid filled and mineral inclusions. If the stones are more heavily included, they are often used for beads or carvings. The best quality Topaz is a saturated warm red or reddish colour, free from inclusions and cut to show the best colour and return of light from the stone.
Topaz is common in very large sizes, particularly in the colourless material, and so this when treated makes an ideal gemstone to cut in non-traditional styles, utilising techniques such as concave faceting or carving, such stones are works of art and are often referred to as fantasy cut. Topaz usually forms as elongated crystals, so finer quality stones are frequently cut as long pear shapes, ovals or emerald cuts. Great care must be taken when cutting and mounting Topaz, it has a property called cleavage, meaning it can easily break along weaker planes within the crystal. Topaz is a fairly hardy gemstone, it is durable enough to be worn regularly, and with care can last a lifetime, as with cutting and mounting care must be taken not to knock it and cause it to break with cleavage. It should be stored so it cannot be scratched by or scratch other items and cleaned with warm water with a little gentle detergent or soap.
Blue Topaz is routinely treated from colourless material by irradiation, unless otherwise stated all our Blue Topaz, as with the majority on sale in the UK, will be enhanced in this way. Pink and red Topaz is often heated to improve the red tone of the material. Coating of colourless Topaz to create any colour imaginable as well as multi coloured and iridescent stones is now commonplace, such coatings are not permanent. We will always ensure you are given the information you need about the stones you are buying to ensure you can make the right decisions and care for your stones.
