Topaz is a silicate mineral prized for its clarity, brilliance, and wide spectrum of colors, ranging from colorless to vibrant shades of blue, yellow, pink, and even rare reds. With a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, it is one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals, making it a durable and popular choice for jewelry. Naturally occurring blue topaz is rare; most blue stones on the market are heat-treated colorless topaz. The name "topaz" is believed to have originated from the ancient Greek name for St. John's Island in the Red Sea, Topazios. Found in regions like Brazil, Russia, and Sri Lanka, topaz has also been associated with qualities like strength, wisdom, and calmness in various cultural and metaphysical traditions.