Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein
A hard silicate mineral formed in the cavities of igneous rocks, Topaz is a gemstone that typically presents itself as colorless, yellow, or brown.
While found throughout the world, Topaz in gem-quality form usually comes from Brazil or Sri Lanka. In the U.S., Topaz is the state gemstone of Utah.
Natural topaz, compliments of the Natural History Museum of Utah
Some say the word Topaz comes from topazos (“to seek”) after stones that were found in what is now Zabargad in the Red Sea. Others say the word is from the Sanskrit and means “fire.”
This highly transparent stone is believed to harness the power of the sun. Topaz is said to bring true love and fidelity, while bestowing courage, wisdom, and success in every endeavor.
Ancient Egyptians believed Topaz symbolized Ra, their sun god. Hindus thought it would protect their homes from fire. Greeks and Romans valued its ability to give strength and prevent injury.
According to the Bible, Topaz is the second stone in the breastplate of the Jewish High Priest. The Book of Revelation lists it as the 9th foundation in the wall of the New Jerusalem to come.
Until the 1970s, most jewelry stores sold Topaz in shades of yellow or brown. Today, colorless Topaz is heated, coated, or irradiated to appeal to buyers who prefer it in shades of blue.
Topaz is the traditional birthstone for November (some sources say December) and the wedding anniversary stone for four years.
Feng Shui practitioners teach that Topaz uses fire energy, Yang in nature, and should be placed in the south area of a home or room to enhance fame and reputation.
Large Topaz gemstones (image By Michelle Jo – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9725342)
Regarded as the “crystal of potency,” Topaz occurs in a range of colors, from colorless to blue, yellow, orange, brown, and pink. The different colors of Topaz stimulate different Chakras (for example, blue activates the throat or third-eye, pink stimulates the heart, and brown enhances the root).
Topaz is believed to cleanse the aura and release tension. Blue Topaz, especially, is said to be most beneficial for alleviating fear of public speaking, inspiring creativity, and defeating writer’s block.
(Bring a U-Haul; I’ll take a ton!)
Topaz is an 8 on the 1-10 Mohs Scale of Hardness, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be broken. Clean your Topaz with a soft cloth after soaking it in warm, sudsy water, and keep it away from high heat or direct sunlight to prevent fading its color.
Note: The claims here aren’t meant to take the place of medical advice. They’re based on folklore and other sources, and likely “work” best if one’s belief is strong enough!
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Good one, Debbie. I love topaz. My wife’s eyes are topaz blue. One flash and I’m a puddle.
What a sweet, loving thing to say, John! I know what you mean, blue eyes can be magical!!
🙂
I love topaz, both brown and blue. London blue for choice! I shall dig out my topaz ring and see if it will help me catch up on all my unwritten reviews…
Ooh, let me know if it works for you, FF. If so, perhaps I need to invest in a topaz, something along the Sky Blue or Swiss Blue preferably!!
Debbie, it’s so ironic that you posted about this gemstone because someone I work with is now making her own jewelry and recently gave me a gorgeous Topaz pendant.
As always, I learn something new every time you post about gemstones, such as, that Topaz comes in other colors, not just shades of yellows and browns. OMG…the ones you pictured are so beautiful! I’m particularly attracted to the London Blue. It’s such an unusual color.
” Blue Topaz, especially, is said to be most beneficial for alleviating fear of public speaking, inspiring creativity, and defeating writer’s block.”
That’s another thing you taught me. I had no idea about that.
Thanks so much for once again teaching me something I never knew. Always enjoyed, my friend!
Have a fantastic week!
X
Ron, I’m always delighted when I can help educate you! I know you have a fabulous background in healing, so any time I can dig up some information that’s new to you (it’s ALL new to me!!), I’ve done my job!
Lucky you, getting a pendant from your friend! As someone who makes jewelry pieces, too, I know how special it is when something you’ve handmade gives someone you’re giving it to so much happiness.
Enjoy the week ahead — we’re zooming to the finish line now with the holidays just days away! xo
Now I’m trying to figure out whether I’ve thought of topaz as yellow or blue. Not only that,I’m wondering if I got rid of a real stone belonging to my mother that I assumed was artificial because it was brown! There’s no sense worrying over that, but I think it’s an indication that I didn’t realize topaz could be yellow or brown. I like the yellow, a lot. Of course, blue isn’t my favorite color; greens and yellows, along with white, are more appealing to me.
Now, I can imagine a necklace done in green, yellow, and white topaz!
The other November birthstone is Citrine, which generally sells for less than Topaz, Linda. https://domermom.com/2016/05/01/sundays-gem-citrine/
Personally, I gravitate toward the blues, though that pink and green are wonderful, too. Now you have me wondering if your mother’s stone was one you should have kept! It’s hard to know, with heirlooms, whether our ancestors kept them because they were valuable or because they held such lovely memories. Either way, we can’t keep everything or we’d run ourselves out of room!