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Topaz

History

Mined and worn for thousands of years, scholars trace the gem's name back to the Sanskrit word "tapaz" meaning "fire." Topaz has a long and varied story. The ancient Greeks believed that wearing topaz gave them strength. Renaissance Europeans thought that topaz could break magic spells and dispel anger. For centuries, many people in India believed that wearing a topaz ensured beauty, intelligence and a long life.

Colour

While most topaz begins as a brownish stone, once treated topaz has a wide colour range, including blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink and purple. Colourless white topaz is also available.

Gem Family

Topaz is a gemstone family unto itself.

Hardness

Topaz rates an 8.0 on the Mohs scale, making it a suitable gem for everyday wear.

Treatments

Heat treatments will bring out pink tones in topaz. Irradiation and heat treatment together bring out shades of blue.

Birthstone

Yellow topaz is the traditional birthstone for November. Blue topaz is the traditional birthstone for December.

Care

Topaz should be stored separately to keep from scratching or being scratched by other gemstones. Store them in a lined box or a soft pouch. Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners. Clean your topaz jewellery using warm soapy water and dry with a soft, lint‐free cloth.