Those born in the month of November can enjoy the beauty of two remarkable birthstones. From warm shades to cool icy blue colors, Topaz- one among the November birthstones is known to bring peace and warmth to the wearer. You’ll easily get lost in the beauty of this iridescent birthstone. 

Topaz is loved for its colours. The variety of topaz hues generally include colorless stones besides light blue, yellow, orange, pink, violet, and brown. Red topaz is a rare exception. In the present times, you’ll find a vast majority of blue topaz. Blue topaz is a permanent result of treating the colorless topaz with irradiation and heating. 

White Topaz is known as the stone of awareness while Blue Topaz is known as the stone of clarity. Have you noticed the rainbow effect in Mystic Topaz? This mesmerizing effect is created by coating topaz with a thin artificial film. Many are fans of this beauty! Topaz is also pleochroic, meaning that the gem can show different colors in different crystal directions.

Blue topaz is the gem of the fourth wedding anniversary, and Imperial topaz is the gem of the 23rd wedding anniversary.

During the Ancient times…

Topaz was portrayed as the healing and peace gemstone. It has been mentioned in mythology as a calming stone. Over two thousand years ago, the Romans found Topaz on the Topazios Island in the Red Sea. Anyone who spotted this stone would rejoice! They believed that the stone would give them strength on life’s daily adventures. They also believed that it’ll protect them from enemies and bring reconciliation. 

Another belief associated with this stone was that- if they held it close to poisoned food or drink, this superior stone would cause the food or drink to change colors. Isn’t that interesting? 

People in the olden times used to worship this stone. This took place in ancient Egypt and the Topaz stone was believed to yield supernatural powers through sun god, Ra. South American cultures would herald the Topaz as a stone that had the capability to alleviate sickness during the full moon.

The origin of the word “Topaz”…

Well, some people believe that the word “Topaz” comes from the Sanskrit word “tapas”. Tapas in Sanskrit means fire. Others believe that “Topaz” is derived from the Greek word “topazos”. The ancient Greeks firmly believed that Topaz gave them strength. During the period from 1300s to 1600s, the Europeans thought that Topaz could thwart magic spells and dispel anger. Even in India, Topaz was worn above the heart for centuries, behind the belief that it assures long life, beauty and intelligence.

Imperial Topaz which is distinctly pinkish orange has aristocratic cachet. It is commonly believed that the name originated with the Russian royal family’s insistence on keeping the finest colors of this gem, which was mined in Russia’s Ural Mountains, exclusively for their use. An alternate explanation, especially popular in Brazil, is that it dates from an 1881 visit by Brazilian Emperor Pedro II to Ouro Preto, ( the town closest to Brazil’s most productive topaz mines) and the gift of a reddish topaz to him.

During the Renaissance, people believed the Topaz could break magic spells and help rid one of anger. In India, it was well-known that those who wore the Topaz above the heart would be guaranteed a long life, beauty, and intelligence. 

Where is Topaz found?

A state in Brazil called Minas Gerais is one of the most well-known sources for high quality Topaz. This stone has been mined there for over two centuries. Some of the colors unearthed here are- yellow to orange, red, pink, violet, and blends of red with orange or purple. The nearby town of Ouro Preto is a fitting companion.

Northwestern Pakistan is known for producing pink topaz. Ghundao Hill, close to the small town of Katlang, has been mined since 1972. The most sought-after shade of pink topaz from Katlang has a tinge of violet, which some in the gem trade call cyclamen pink. But even at Ghundao Hill, only rarely is this fine pink November birthstone found. Today, other major sources of this November birthstone include Namibia, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the United States, as well as the historic Russian localities.

Topaz has been heralded as a stone with healing properties. Besides the folklore of protecting from enemies and saving one from food poisoning, here’s some of the physical, mental, and metaphysical benefits.

Physical Healing Properties

Blue Topaz contributes to good health. It’s an incredible alleviator with all issues related to the throat and head. This blue beauty instantly shifts migraine pressure, acts as a gentle stress reliever for jaw clenching, and soothes sore throat. 

If you have a fear of public speaking, the Blue Topaz is a perfect match. Add this gem to your all-star jewelry ensemble to start rocking the confidence and amplify your voice. 

On the other hand, the White Topaz is the perfect pick-me-up for those in-need of an extra energy boost and also helps with relieving migraines. Additionally, the White Topaz crystal is known to strengthen your hair and nails and heal any skin irritations. 

Mental Healing Properties

Regardless of the color or shade, the Topaz stone balances your emotions and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed. It repurposes that negative energy to positivity and reminds you that you’re worth it, you’re wonderful, and your voice matters.

For the writers out there, the Blue Topaz can help you finetune your focus and get into the writer’s zone. This newfound focus along with communicating authentically empower you to live your best life and find your niche within the world. 

In parallel, the White Topaz brings out your individuality and impacts others with your presence.

Metaphysical Healing Properties

The most important connection bridged with the Topaz is vocalizing your boundaries. Not only does this make us feel safe, it helps us connect with what matters most. The way the Blue Topaz does this is with the throat chakra. 

Conversely, the White Topaz aids in synchronizing your thoughts and ideas with the divine realm. As a result, this better aligns you with your designated life path. 

Additionally, it helps you efficiently and fluidly reach your goals. Anyone who wears the White Topaz will proudly tout inner peace to your mind and soul.

Topaz in the modern era …

The 18th century gold rush resulted in Brazilian Topaz becoming extremely popular among European aristocracy. Notable pieces of jewelry from this era include the Braganza Topaz in the Portuguese Royal Crown, which was meant to symbolize the sovereign’s wealth and power. During this time, the Swedish Royal Family also partook with the Parure Necklace of Maria Pavlovna.

Nineteenth century Russians coined the term for Imperial Topaz and restricted ownership of this rare find to the royal family. The Ural Mountains were the leading Topaz source and the pink gemstone mined was meant to commemorate the Russian Czar. 

In recent years, the Duchess of Cambridge- Kate Middleton is known for wearing Blue Topaz and Diamond Drop Earrings for social events. In addition, Hollywood is notorious for its fondness of the blue stunner- with celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, and Cate Blanchett donning it at red carpet events.

Chemical properties:

Chemical Classification	Nesosilicate minerals
Formula	Al2SiO4(F,OH)2

Physical Properties:

Crystal habit	Prismatic crystal
Color	Natural colors include: colorless, yellow, orange, brown, red, pink, blue, green. Occurs in a wide range of treated colors, most often blue.x”
Streak	Colorless – harder than the streak plate.
Luster	Vitreous
Cleavage	Perfect basal cleavage.
Diaphaneity	Translucent to transparent.
Mohs Hardness	8
Crystal System	Orthorhombic
Tenacity	Brittle
Density	3.4 to 3.6
Fracture	Irregular/Uneven, Subconchoidal

Optical Properties:

Color / Pleochroism	Weak X= yellow Y= yellow, violet, reddish Z= violet, bluish, yellow, pink
2V:	Measured: 48° to 68°, Calculated: 58° to 68°
RI values:	nα = 1.606 – 1.629 nβ = 1.609 – 1.631 nγ = 1.616 – 1.638
Optic Sign	Biaxial (+)
Birefringence	δ = 0.010
Relief	Moderate
Dispersion:	noticeable r > v

Care and Cleaning

On the Mohs scale of hardness, Topaz is an 8. It isn’t as tough, so you need to take care of it to avoid chipping or cracking. While cleaning this beautiful November birthstone, be gentle. Do not use steam cleaning or ultrasonic cleaners. Warm soapy water will work best. High heat or sudden temperature changes can cause internal breaks in topaz. The birthstone’s color is generally stable to light, but prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight might cause fading in some yellow-to-brown gems. Topaz may be affected slightly by some chemicals. The coating on Mystic Topaz can withstand normal wear, but abrasive cleaners or buffing wheels will remove it. Only a mild soap solution should be used to clean a topaz birthstone treated in this manner.

Pricing

Clarity and Size of the stone have a significant impact on the value of Topaz. However, the color of Topaz has the greatest impact on the pricing. The highest values go to the rare pink and red stones, then orange and yellow. Intense, reddish orange topaz is sometimes called “imperial topaz.” Yellow, orange, and brown stones are somewhat common. Colorless topazes are common and are low-value gems in any size. The term “precious topaz” refers to stones with a rich yellow to a medium, peachy orange color. Blue has become the most popular color for topazes on the market today. Blue topazes are very inexpensive.

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