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.
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.
Topaz is a gemstone family unto itself.
Topaz rates an 8.0 on the Mohs scale, making it a suitable gem for everyday wear.
Heat treatments will bring out pink tones in topaz. Irradiation and heat treatment together bring out shades of blue.
Yellow topaz is the traditional birthstone for November. Blue topaz is the traditional birthstone for December.
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.