Topaz Meaning, Properties, Facts and Photos

Contents 1. What Colour is Topaz 2. Meaning of Topaz 3. Topaz Properties (geology) 4. Topaz Healing Properties 5. Article Pictures 6. Shop Topaz

What Colour is Topaz?

Although known for its wide range of colours, most topaz is colourless. Colourless topaz is sometimes known as white topaz.

Impurities of titanium, iron (often hematite) or chromium produce colours including red, pink, violet, purple, blue, orange, brown, and green.

Imperial Topaz, one of the most sought-after varieties, can exhibit hues of orange, pink, or red, often within the same crystal.

Although blue occurs naturally, it's very rare, so most gemstones are produced by heating colourless topaz.

Depending on the type of treatment, three shades of blue can be produced. Stones can be heated through conventional methods, such as in an industrial oven or by exposure to different types of radiation. In some cases, both are used.

Although many gemstones are irradiated, the practice is mostly associated with topaz. Exposure to heat changes the chemical composition of some minerals, which can cause them to change colour.

Sky Blue is the most popular variety of blue topaz. London Blue is more intense, with a darker tone and deep saturation. The colour of Swiss Blue is often described as 'electric blue'.
Colourless topaz was first irradiated to produce a blue stone in 1947.

Scientists believe gemstones exposed to radiation pose no risk to human health. Before being handled, they must be securely locked away to allow any measurable level of radiation to decay.

Sky Blue Topaz is usually stored for a couple of months. London and Swiss Blue are left for considerably longer, so are more expensive.

Conventional heat adds warmth to blue topaz after it's been irradiated.

Blue topaz, or any variety that's been irradiated, should be protected from intense heat and sudden temperature changes. At just 500 degrees Celsius (932°F), the stone's colour begins to fade.

When yellow to reddish-brown topaz is heated at a relatively low temperature, if impurities of chromium are present, the stone turns a rich shade of pink or purplish-red. 

Green and orange topaz turn blue after being heated at various temperatures. Orange topaz turns a very dark or rich shade of blue.

Another reason for heating topaz is because sunlight can bleach its natural colour. This is particularly prevalent with brown topaz from Siberia and Utah.

Historically, all yellow-coloured gemstones were believed to be topaz. Only in the last two hundred years was it discovered that other minerals could also be yellow.

For many years, yellow sapphire was called Oriental Topaz. Even today, some varieties of quartz, particularly citrine and smoky quartz, are incorrectly labelled as topaz. 

Topaz and quartz are two different minerals.

The Ostro Stone is the largest cut blue topaz gemstone in the world. This flawless gem weighs approximately two kilogrammes. It was cut from material mined in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and was heat-treated prior to being cut.

Meaning of Topaz

The meaning of 'topaz' is believed to come from a small island in the Red Sea, once known as Topazios. It lies off the coast of Egypt and is known today as St.John's Island or Zabargad in Arabic.

Another theory for the meaning of topaz is that it comes from the Sanskrit word 'topas', meaning 'heat' or 'fire'.

It's not known whether topaz was known to ancient civilizations. Historians believe the name 'topazos' actually referred to the mineral olivine, although it's impossible to know for certain.

The gemstone peridot, which comes from olivine, is known to have been available in abundance on the island of Topazios.

In his encyclopaedia Naturalis Historia, ancient Roman author, naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder wrote about 'topazos' being found in this location.

Topaz can be traced back even further and is mentioned in the Old Testament in the Book of Exodus. A topaz is said to have been one of the twelve gemstones in the high priest breastplate.

In all ancient references, the stone referred to as topaz is believed to have been peridot.

Properties of Topaz (geology)

Topaz is a silicate mineral made of aluminium and fluorine. It grades 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, one grade less than corundum, the second hardest mineral on Earth.

The Mohs scale grades the resistance of one mineral when scratched by another. Although topaz is exceptionally hard, it's brittle. Hardness and toughness in relation to rocks and minerals are not the same.

Topaz breaks easily along specific planes of weakness in its crystal structure. In geology, this is known as cleavage. This characteristic, along with the fact that topaz chips easily makes cutting and polishing more difficult.

Flaws or inclusions can increase the chance of topaz cleaving. It's also sensitive to heat and can break or shatter even when heated gently at a relatively low temperature.

Repairing topaz in jewellery is difficult and risky because pressure or a sudden change in temperature can damage the stone.

Topaz can be found in several countries around the world. The state of Minas Gerais (which means general mines) in Brazil has long been the world's largest supplier.

Topaz Crystal Healing Properties

Topaz cleanses the aura and deepens relaxation. A wonderfully mellow stone, it soothes the mind, heals the body, and recharges energy lost through stress, tension and fatigue.

Topaz promotes the truth, embraces forgiveness and helps rebuild broken friendships.

Topaz emits happiness and positivity and drives away negative thoughts. It instils confidence and promotes openness and honesty.

On a mental level, topaz encourages wisdom, aids problem-solving and has the capacity to see the bigger picture.

For those going through a significant change in life, topaz offers comfort and support. It can also help stabilise emotions that arise from uncertainty.

According to the Modern, Traditional, and Ayurvedic birthstone charts, topaz is the birthstone for November. Citrine may be used as an alternative on the Modern and Traditional charts.

Pearl is the birthstone for November on the Mystical Birthstone Chart.

Blue topaz is the birthstone for December on the Modern Chart. Turquoise is an alternative.

Article Pictures

The topaz at the top of our article is a museum piece from Pakistan. The colourless topaz in the second picture is on display in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.

The topaz in the third picture is from Utah, USA. The second and third photos are courtesy of Stan Celestian.

The Sky Blue Topaz gemstones are from our collection.

Pictures are clickable and redirect to the original image.

Pop-up photos: Brown topaz - Courtesy of Géry Parent. Red Topaz, Imperial Topaz, Smoky Topaz and Peridot - Courtesy of Stan Celestian. Blue Topaz - Courtesy of Alan English.