The stone of seafarers, capable of calming the storm; “Siberian heavyweight”, “imperial stone” - all this is about it, about royal topaz, the most common jewelry gem.
Their popularity is due to their rich color range, large number of deposits, and, as a result, relatively low cost. Deposits of “heavy” stone are scattered throughout the globe, from the Altai Mountains to Sri Lanka. Topazes are mined in the Alps, the Urals, Brazil, India and Pakistan.
History and origin
There are two versions about the origin of the name of the mineral:
- “Topaz” is translated from Sanskrit as “flame, fire, heat.” The first minerals found were probably golden-orange or red. They are still called fiery today.
- The name of the stone was given by the island of Topazios (modern name - Zeberget) in the Red Sea. The ancient Roman historian Pliny the Elder says that a gem was mined there. According to other sources, this is how the mineral was named by sailors who were shipwrecked near the island.
Topaz
Outstanding specimens are kept in national museums: St. Petersburg (10-kilogram crystal), in Brazil (giant specimens weighing 31 and 50 kg).
Physicochemical characteristics
Topaz is a second-level semi-precious stone. A highly transparent mineral, comparable in hardness to diamond or corundum. The description of the stone always includes color.
The high density determines the characteristics of the stones as “heavy weights”. This is how the Ural miners dubbed them.
| Formula | Al2[SiO4](F,OH)2 |
| Color | Colorless, golden yellow, pale blue, yellow, yellowish brown, violet red, pink |
| Shine | Glass |
| Transparency | Transparent |
| Hardness | 8 |
| Cleavage | Perfect |
| Kink | Conchoidal |
| Density | 3.49—3.57 g/cm³ |
Place of extraction
There are enough gem deposits on the planet. The main supplier is Brazil. There are minerals of all colors, including rare blue, red and imperial. This is where the five-ton record-breaking giant comes from.
In Russia, multi-colored stones are found in the Urals and Transbaikalia. The main European deposits are concentrated in Germany. The Schneckestein mine (Saxon Vosges) produces golden, green and colorless stones. They are classified as Saxon diamonds, after the name of the mine.
White and golden specimens are produced by Sri Lanka.
Place of Birth
In Ilmeni, in the Southern Urals, the largest number of finds of a precious mineral of colorless and pale blue color is reported, during the period from the 18th to the mid-20th century. In Ukraine, in the Volyn mines there are reserves of high-quality wine-yellow mineral.
In the middle of the last century, a sample weighing 117 kg was found. The five-ton gem was found in one of the mines in Brazil. Afghanistan and Pakistan are suppliers of high-quality stones. Jewelry topaz has been mined in Ceylon since ancient times, and today minerals from Sri Lanka enter the world market.
Varieties and colors
Nature often creates yellow varieties of topaz. There are red, purple, blue, colorless and rainbow. Dorozh pink, originally from Pakistan. The real find is a gem in a “shirt,” that is, wrapped in a grayish film. The color of topazes is determined by impurities and defects in the crystal lattice.
The coloring is clean, without haze or haze.
Colorless
White or silvery stones are a common type. They lie shallow. The sun clears them of color, making them transparent.
Colorless topaz
Source material for obtaining colored topazes. Legal affordable diamond competitor. The properties of topaz imitate their versatility, iridescent color, depth, and purity. The white crystal looks like a diamond, which is used by unscrupulous jewelers. For example, it turned out that the huge diamond, the “star” of the Portuguese crown, was colorless topaz.
Light blue, blue
Exquisite, regal stone. It can be natural or refined. The commercial types of blue topaz available on the market are:
- Sky Blue - light, the most affordable;
- Swiss Blue - darker and more expensive; specimens of natural origin slow down aging. Women give any money for them;
- London Blue - dark blue or blue crystals; The deeper the color, the more expensive. London stone is cut in a special way. It is not particularly popular among Russians, unlike Europeans. Sometimes London Blue and Sapphire are confused.
Blue Topaz
Deep blue is rare in nature, and technologists make up for the shortage by irradiating colorless stones. The resulting inky color of topaz is lightened by heat treatment.
Irradiated specimens are kept in special conditions for several months until the radiation level drops to a safe level.
Yellow
A group of minerals of yellow, brown, golden-greenish shades. Inexpensive, popular with astrologers and lithotherapists. They are widespread in India, where they were the first to establish their medicinal value.
Yellow topaz
Golden topaz is used as gifts for rulers. Specimens whose rich yellow or fiery color gradually turns into blue are valuable.
Pink
A rare variety, along with red ones, it is considered one of the most expensive.
Red topaz is valued for its impossibility of counterfeiting: no technology can make the crystal turn red while remaining transparent.
Pink Topaz
Green
A sought-after collectible. The green stone’s atypical color is due to aluminum silicate and radiation.
The crystals have a soft velvety sheen, without brightness. They are designed for luxury jewelry worn in the evening. They ended up in the crowns of rulers.
Green topaz
The degree of purity of the color of topaz is used to judge its origin: haze or cloudiness means artificial processing, which reduces the value.
"Mystic" topaz
Multicolor is created by the characteristics of the crystal lattice: light is refracted in different ways, creating shades.
"Mystic" topaz
It may become rainbow after treatment. The technology was patented at the end of the 20th century. The colorless mineral is irradiated and then coated with a microlayer of gold or titanium. An iridescent iridescence is created, visible in any light.
The stone shines like a diamond.
Smoky
In fact, this is rauchtopaz - a type of quartz, which, due to its smoky hue, is mistakenly classified as topaz. The name is fixed in everyday life and commercial classification. Fashionistas love it for its non-trivial range, from gray to brown.
Ring with smoky topaz
Black
The rarest variety, considered a magical attribute.
Bracelet with black topaz
Royal
The second name is imperial. There is no standard for the color of the species; most jewelers consider the orange-brown color scheme to be the standard.
Royal Topaz
How much does such a beautiful crystal cost?
Of course, it makes no sense to give an exact price here. The cost of natural blue mineral depends on many factors. First of all, this is the quality of the stone and the level of its jewelry processing. Typically, professionals determine the price of a particular specimen based on color, crystal clarity, cut quality, size and weight.
It would be useful to know that there are several popular varieties of blue crystal. For example, London topaz is considered one of the most expensive. Its color is the deepest, brightest and most saturated of all possible types of blue. A specimen called Swiss Blue is also called blue topaz: the stone indeed appears dark blue in spectacular evening lighting.
And finally, the stone that the jewelry community calls Sky Blue is indeed the color of a clear blue sky.
Medicinal properties
Lithotherapists use the healing properties of topaz based on the color of the stone.
Colorless
The stone strengthens the immune system, nerves, and stabilizes emotions. Improves metabolism, neutralizes hormonal imbalances and colds. Suitable for insomnia, anemia, women's problems.
Yellow
The necklace is effective in treating the throat and lungs. Wearing a pendant relieves asthma, gastrointestinal problems, and calms the nerves. Yellow stone is indicated for people with mental disorders, excessively emotional or suicidal tendencies.
Blue
A necklace or beads have a positive effect on the thyroid gland, reducing the risk of Graves' disease. The stone is indispensable for women: it helps to conceive a child, restores women's health. Cures depression, hypertension and asthma.
Smoky
Rauchtopaz makes you sleep soundly and sends prophetic dreams. Neutralizes stress and unnecessary emotions.
Topazes improve appetite, so people on a diet need to be careful with them.
Topaz is one of the 12 most powerful healing stones, an attribute of the thousand-year-old Indian practice of Ayurveda. Properties are enhanced in silver.
Magic properties
Esotericists have found that the magical properties of natural topaz depend on the color.
Blue
The first most important mineral marker of poisons in drinks: if poison is mixed in, the stone will change color.
Suitable as a talisman for successful people or people in love. Activates and sharpens compassion, kindness, high aspirations. Attracts people, helping to understand each other. Helps researchers seeking to unravel a complex case or get to the bottom of the truth.
May cause strife. They determine the owner’s mood and their compatibility.
Sailors believe that the mineral will calm the storm. The Crusaders brought it from the East as a gift to their lady love. Blue topaz helps to calm down after emotional shock or moderate ardor.
Yellow
The magic of a gold-colored stone attracts money. Amulets help to recognize lies or uncover conspiracies.
Yellow topaz
The golden crystal makes the owner peaceful and calm.
Green
It attracts the negativity surrounding the owner. The magical properties of the stone will help a person who is haunted by causeless anxiety.
Colorless
Such topaz can be safely worn by those who are absent-minded, unable to concentrate and express thoughts clearly to people. A pebble will help you get ready. A talisman with it is an effective protective measure.
Pink, red
The main meaning of the stone is to create an aura of security, to “force” a person to believe in himself.
This is a talisman for a woman: it awakens romantic feelings, making partners mutually attractive.
The owner of a tea rose-colored crystal becomes an example that people who do not want to be such need to take into account.
Smoky
Rauchtopaz puts you in a state of meditation, so it is not recommended for dreamers: with this stone they will break away from reality.
Smoky stone smoothes out the anger of the owner or his interlocutor. If your boss called you on the carpet, you should decorate yourself with products with topaz or put the mineral in your pocket.
The value of smoky topaz as an assistant in finding money work or starting your own business has been tested.
Smoky Topaz
Does not tolerate liars: such people should consider whether topaz is suitable for them personally.
"Mystic"
An attribute of yogis who consider the mystical crystal to be in tune with the highest chakra Sahasrara. Used as a means of unity with the cosmic mind, achieving vision.
Black
It is believed that the black crystal sharpens the intuition of the owner. He will be able to subjugate others and “guess” conspiracies.
Topaz helps people who want to get rich honestly.
Any topaz is the patron of explorers, businessmen and travel enthusiasts.
The power of the crystal is regulated by the Moon. The brightness, healing and magical properties of natural topaz are maximum during the full moon.
Ladies appreciate the precious magic stone topaz. They are confident that the mineral will preserve their attractiveness, help them become a mother and bring them closer to their spouse.
Topaz is a stone of fidelity. The owner (or mistress) of jewelry can be sure that their significant other will not go anywhere.
The mineral is called a “heavyweight” not only for its physical weight. The pebble is capable of imposing its “thoughts” on its owner, even subjugating it to itself.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
Astrologers have found that topaz is ideal for Scorpios according to their zodiac sign. As a talisman it is suitable for everyone except Aquarius.
Different zodiac signs need stones of their own color:
- Gemini - yellow or golden;
- Scorpio - blue or lilac;
- Leo - yellow, red or purple-violet;
- Cancer - blue, blue or green;
- Virgo - yellow, lilac, greenish or brown;
- Capricorn - transparent purple, brown and greenish;
- Aries - golden, red or purple;
- Taurus is blue.
According to Pavel Globa, topaz forces the owner to take a closer look at what is happening and people, to trust premonitions or signs. However, it is capable of bringing chaos into the owner’s private life or destroying it.
Even if the stone suits the horoscope, people with large families should refuse its services.
Regardless of the zodiac sign, the owner's attitude should be positive.
| Zodiac sign | Compatibility |
| Aries | + |
| Taurus | — |
| Twins | +++ |
| Cancer | + |
| a lion | + |
| Virgo | + |
| Scales | + |
| Scorpion | +++ |
| Sagittarius | + |
| Capricorn | + |
| Aquarius | — |
| Fish | + |
(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated)
Where is it used?
The best precious topazes are in demand by jewelers. This is the main area of use of the stone.
Jewelry
The cost of a mineral is determined by color: the most expensive are pink, red, blue, light blue and polychrome - from $350 per carat or $1,750 per gram. Yellowish ones are estimated at $25–70, “London blue” — $10–15 per carat.
Transparent examples of jewelry topaz with inclusions, two- and multi-color crystals are valued. For example, with wine-yellow and blue zoning.
When choosing a cut, craftsmen focus on the color of the stone:
- pink or brown - stepped oval or combined;
- blue or yellow - diamond;
- specimens with inclusions - cabochon.
The cost of jewelry is determined by the quality of the topaz and the price of the metal of the frame.
Stone cutting art
The mineral is used by stone cutters. Cameos (convex relief images on stone) are especially good. A large transparent gem is used for expensive artifacts worth hundreds of carats.
Blue Topaz
Processing is made difficult by the hardness and vulnerability of the stone to splitting.
Collection material
Any colorless, large, well-shaped crystal is attractive as an exhibit in personal mineralogical collections.
Other areas
The solid mineral has found application in industry, but is rarely used due to its high cost. For example, for grinding problematic areas and in metallurgy.
Healing energy of the gem
Pink stones have powerful healing properties.
- sphere of influence number one is the psyche. Pebbles strengthen the nervous system, help overcome stress, depression, and insomnia. These qualities were used in medicine of the ancient period. Doctors advised noble patients with unstable psyches or the mentally ill to wear jewelry with pink topaz inserts;
- the stone protects against colds and viruses, especially during seasonal epidemics;
- effective for healing after poisoning.
It is important as a means of strengthening the immune system and healing the body.
How to spot a fake
The mineral is popular, but it is counterfeited. More often, varieties of saturated tones - rare and expensive - “suffer”.
Instead of topaz, they offer imitations:
- glass;
- cheap gems;
- ennobled specimens.
Blue topaz
You can establish the origin at home:
- Rub the pebble on the wool. If hair or ash starts to stick to it, the stone is natural. Sensitive people say that their fingers tingle when touched.
- Topaz can scratch crystal or quartz, but only diamond can scratch it.
- Unlike glass, stone is cold and does not immediately heat up in your hands.
- If there is a solution of methylene iodide in the house, a sample is dipped into it. The real one will drown, the artificial one will float.
- The tones of natural minerals are gentle and intelligent. Refined specimens - natural, but irradiated stones - are toxic and garish. They are supplied with many imported topaz products. Imitation can be recognized only on special equipment.
- Natural ones are endowed with defects and cracks; a smooth surface means a fake.
The listed methods provide a preliminary assessment. A specialist is guaranteed to detect a fake and determine the origin of the stone.
Areas of application of topaz stone
Topaz can be artificially given a more noble appearance.
Jewelry craftsmen actively work with topaz. However, not in all cases they use stones with natural colors. It turns out that so-called ennobled samples can also be used for jewelry purposes. There is no doubt about their natural origin. However, initially they are endowed with a different color. For example, specialists take on the most common colorless minerals. They are exposed to radiation. As a result, they get a brown tone. If such topaz is exposed to temperature, it will turn blue or light blue. Such procedures do not concern alchemy at all. They are a consequence of various reactions that occur in the structure of the crystal lattice of the stone.
It is not always possible for even a highly qualified specialist to find out whether a particular topaz has been previously processed. However, if its tone is too rich, this is evidence of additional actions on the mineral. Most imported jewelry contains processed gems. Over time, they lose their shade until they completely lose color. In addition, there is always a certain risk of buying a fake stone. Fraudsters still use affordable homemade samples in the production of products. They can be of natural or artificial origin. It is a pity that the authenticity of topaz can only be determined with special equipment.
How to wear and care
To ensure that jewelry remains attractive, it requires proper care and careful use.
Care
Topaz is durable, the rules for caring for it are similar to other gems:
- Household chemicals will damage jewelry, so jewelry (especially a ring or bracelet) should be removed when cooking, cleaning, or washing.
- “Mystic” topaz requires special care: its coating is vulnerable to reagents.
- One blow can split this stone.
- To prevent topaz from fading, it is better to wear earrings or other jewelry when your hair is done and makeup is applied.
- The rich color of a burnt stone is restored by storing the jewelry in a tightly closed box for several days or wrapping it in a light-proof fabric.
To clean jewelry, immerse it in a warm solution of soap or detergent for 15–20 minutes and brush with a soft brush. Dried and sent to the box.
Earrings with blue topaz
To rid the talismans of negative energy, they are immersed in cold water for a day, which is immediately poured out after the procedure.
Wearing
Jewelry with topaz is intended for evening or intimate appearances: in the sun, stones, especially ennobled ones, become dull or discolored.
Topaz amulets are taken to work, on visits, or worn at home:
- rings or a ring on the index finger of the working hand relieve women from infertility and increase male strength;
- a brooch, pendant or pendant makes the owner more cheerful, solves insoluble problems;
- Topaz in gold is suitable for mature or older creative people if they have lost their inspiration.
For the frame, use yellow gold, silver or cupronickel.
When combined with other stones, topaz retains its properties as a magical stone.
Storage
It is better to place the jewelry in a soft inside box or casket, each separately, or wrap it in a soft cloth.
Talismans, amulets
Smoky topaz ring
The mysticism of topaz lies in its ability to absorb the energy of its owner and, as needed, return it back.
For this reason, psychics use topaz talismans as energy batteries.
- Amulets with topaz can be worn at home, at work and when visiting. It is best to set them in cupronickel or silver.
- A ring with a crystal, worn on the index finger of the working hand, will solve the problem of female infertility. For men, this method of wearing a ring can result in increased potency.
- A pendant or brooch with a stone will give its owner the energy necessary to solve pressing problems.
- Topaz set in gold will help older creative people regain their inspiration.
