Topaz
is a gemstone of beauty and splendor. The topaz, when pure, may be
colourless, and when cut appropriately, it has been mistaken for
diamond.
Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine that is valued
as a gemstone. It is commonly associated with formations in the
igneous rocks.
It is believed that the topaz was unknown to the ancients until the
middle ages. There was a time when any yellow stone was considered
to be topaz. One source believes the name Topaz, is derived from the
Sanskrit word 'tapas' that means fire. According to another source,
the name comes from the Greek word 'topazos' which means 'seeking
something'. The Romans dedicated the topaz to the planet Jupiter.
Topaz
came from mines in Upper Egypt during the middle ages. Subsequently
they have been available in the Ural Mountains in Russia, parts of
Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Norway, Italy, Sweden, and parts of
the United States.
The colour in which the topaz is most commonly found is yellow, and
other different shades of yellow like, yellow-brown, honey-yellow,
straw-yellow. Some are light blue, light red and pink and sometimes
they are colourless. The most valuable among them is the 'imperial'
topaz in a yellow orange or wine hue. The blue topaz is now
increasingly becoming popular.
Topaz Trivia
- Topaz is the
state gemstone for the US State of Utah and the Blue topaz is
considered the state gemstone of Texas.
- The Topaz of
Aurungazeb, measured 157.75 carats.
- The most famous
Topaz or the " El Dorado" is the biggest Topaz available. It is
kept in the British Royal Collection. This famous Brazilian
Topaz weighs almost 6.2kgs.
- The great
Braganza diamond of Portugal is probably a topaz.
- The finest
British topaz is found in the Cairngorm group of mountains in
the central Highlands.