The birthstone for November is the beautiful topaz. Topaz comes in a variety of colours, from fiery oranges and yellows to soft pinks and blues. This variety makes it a versatile stone that can complement any style or outfit. In ancient times, topaz was believed to give the wearer strength and protection. Its warm, soothing energy can help calm the mind and aid meditation, making it a must-have gemstone (classified as a semi-precious stone) for those seeking inner peace.

Where does topaz come from?

Ancient Egyptians believed that the gemstone topaz was coloured by the glow of the sun god Ra. The ancient Greeks believed that topaz had the power to increase strength and make the wearer invisible in times of trouble. Topaz has been cherished for thousands of years and its name may derive from the Sanskrit word 'tapas' meaning fire, or from the ancient island of Topaz (now Zebergen) in the Red Sea, where it was first discovered. The gemstone has been found in various places around the world, including Brazil, Sri Lanka, Russia and the United States. The first topaz finds from Brazil adorned the jewellery of 18th and 19th century Russian tsarinas, earning the stone the nickname 'Imperial Topaz'. Its historical significance is evident, as it has been used in royal treasures and revered by ancient civilisations for its supposed protective and healing properties.

Colour spectrum

One of the most fascinating aspects of topaz stone is its stunning range of colours. Pure topaz is colourless, but the impurities found in gemstones from different origins give it a multitude of shades. The gemstone is therefore well known for its many varieties of yellow, golden, brown, smoky and sherry red imperial topaz crystals, and for its few pure pink topaz gemstones. It can be blue, green, pink, red and even colourless. The most sought-after colour is imperial topaz - a rare and vibrant pinkish-orange colour, which is why this colour is the most prized. Another popular choice is blue topaz, which is often treated to enhance its colour, from pale sky blue to deep Swiss blue. Blue, once the rarest colour of topaz, is now the most common due to the enhancement process that turns colourless topaz blue. Raw topaz is extracted from the ground, then cut, then irradiated to brown, then heated to sky blue. This enhancement process is long-lasting, so the stone does not lose its colour when treated in this way.

Some scientific information about topaz 

Topaz is a mineral of the silicate class, aluminium silicate. The crystal system is orthorhombic, the lustre is glassy, the refractive index is 1.610-1.638, the specific gravity 3.4-3.9. Topaz has a Mohs hardness of 8, which means that it is a truly durable gemstone, suitable for everyday wear. Its crystalline structure ensures high clarity and brilliance, which is why a topaz stone is often cut in faceted shapes to maximise its sparkle.

Topaz in jewellery

Topaz's versatility and variety of colours make it ideal for all types of jewellery. Topaz is often found in larger sizes, allowing jewellery designers to create larger pieces at very affordable prices.  Topaz is regularly cut in oval, pear and cushion shapes due to the natural shape of the crystals, and the more common elongated shape of the cut gemstones means that the colour can be concentrated at the ends of the gemstones and may not be uniform across the entire area. Whether rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings or bracelets, topaz can add elegance and colour to any piece. It is also one of November's birthstones, so it's a great gift idea for those born this month. 

Mystical and healing properties

Throughout history, topaz has been attributed various mystical and healing properties. Ancient civilisations believed that topaz could protect against harm, enhance clarity of mind and even cure diseases. Today, it is often associated with promoting truth and forgiveness and maintaining emotional balance, and is believed to help restore balance and harmony. In particular, blue topaz is said to stimulate creativity and improve communication.

Topaz jewellery care

To keep your topaz jewellery looking its best, it is essential to look after it properly. Although topaz is relatively hard, it can still crack and split. To avoid damage, store your topaz jewellery separately from other jewellery, preferably in a soft material bag or soft box. Clean topaz jewellery with warm, soapy water and a soft brush to remove dirt and grime from the surface of the stone and to restore its lustre. Avoid harsh chemicals or exposure to extreme temperatures. Like other gemstones, topaz jewellery should be removed before exercising, applying make-up, using detergents or cleaning the house.

The world's largest topaz jewellery crystals:

 An orange and yellow 271 kg crystal from Minas Gerais, unique in its quality and dimensions, housed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York;

The same museum also houses the extremely valuable gemstone blue Pellman topaz and the pale blue topaz known as the Brazilian Princess. It is a square cushion cut with 221 facets, weighing 21 005 carats and measuring 14,5 cm.

Other worked topazes weighing 7 725 carats and 2 680 carats are known from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, and 5 800 carats from the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. 

A large gem-quality topaz (117 kg) from Fazenda do Funil near Santa Maria do Itabira, Minas Gerais, is on display at the Natural History Museum in Vienna. 

A pale yellow 1 680-carat topaz from Brazil, named 'Bragance', which has entered Portuguese regalia, is also considered a large diamond. 

Whether you're drawn to the mesmerising blue of Swiss blue topaz or the soft pink of pink topaz, there's a topaz to suit all styles and tastes. You're sure to find some stunning high quality silver and gold topaz jewellery in our e-shop, contact us today to get the one you like best!