 Topaz
is the birthstone for those born in the month of November.
The Egyptians said that topaz
was colored with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra.
This made topaz a very powerful amulet that protected the
faithful against harm. The Romans associated topaz with
Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun. Topaz sometimes
has the amber gold of fine cognac or the blush of a peach
and all the beautiful warm browns and oranges in-between.
Some rare and exceptional topaz are pale pink to a sherry
red.
 Wear
topaz only if you wish to be clear-sighted: legend has it
that it dispels all enchantment and helps to improve eyesight
as well! The ancient Greeks believed that it had the power
to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times
of emergency. Topaz was also said to change color in the
presence of poisoned food or drink. Its mystical curative
powers waxed and waned with the phases of the moon: it was
said to cure insomnia, asthma, and hemorrhages.
 Perhaps
the most famous topaz is a giant specimen set in the Portuguese
Crown, the Braganza, which was first thought to be a diamond.
There is also a beautiful topaz set in the Green Vault in
Dresden, one of the world's important gem collections.
Brown, yellow, orange, sherry,
red and pink topaz is found in Brazil and Sri Lanka. Pink
topaz is found in Pakistan and Russia.
 Today
we also have blue topaz, which has a pale to medium blue
color created by irradiation. Pale topaz which is enhanced
to become blue is found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and
China. In early 1998, a new type of enhanced topaz made
its appearance, the surface-enhanced topaz, with colours
described as blue to greenish-blue or emerald green.
Topaz is a very hard gemstone
but it can be split with a single blow, a trait it shares
with diamond. As a result it should be protected from hard
knocks.
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