The word topaz originates from a Sanskrit word meaning fire. Ancient Egyptians believed the topaz was coloured from the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. The brilliance of this stone made the topaz a very powerful amulet that offered protection against harm. Topaz occurs in a variety of colours, with the two most valuable being a deep golden yellow and pink. Other topaz colours include red, orange, peach, pink, gold, yellow, brown, and clear. They are found in Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia, and Pakistan.
The most well-known topaz is the very large Braganza, set in the 17th-century Portuguese Crown and said to be 1,640 carats. It was first thought to be one of the largest diamonds known to man but was later determined to be a colourless topaz. The largest topaz found was said to weigh in at 597 pounds!
Pink and red topaz were used in the 18th and 19th century Russian Czarinas\’ jewelry, which is why topaz was often known as Imperial Topaz. Ancient Greeks believed that topaz had the power to increase the strength of its wearer and even make the wearer invisible. Topaz is the birthstone for November.
The composition of topaz is Aluminium Silicate Fluoride Hydroxide, with a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale. Topaz is Pleochroic, a property which gives it the ability to exhibit different colours when viewed in different axes. These colors include blue, brown, green, pink, red, and yellow.
Topaz is thought to enhance one\‘s spiritual potential. Legends have led us to believe the use of this stone was to increase intelligence and creativity and impart wisdom, which in turn led to wealth. The stone is also associated with understanding, compassion, kindness, and empathy. Many believe that topaz balances and calms the emotions, especially tension and joy, as well as stimulating metabolism and digestion. It is thought to help aid gout, blood disorders, haemorrhages, poor appetite, ageing, and tuberculosis. Magical properties assigned to topaz include a protective energy, with the powers of protection, weight loss, healing, love, and wealth.
For Chakra classification, gold topaz is most effective on the 2nd sacral or navel Chakra, white topaz is helpful on all Chakras, whilst blue topaz should be placed on the 5th and on the throat Chakra.
For any investors, collectors or lovers of topaz, it is recommended to have a gemological identification Certificate of Authenticity. This is an independent report from an approved gemology laboratory, issued by an independent gemologist.
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