Topaz is a versatile and strong gemstone so can be cut into almost any shape but look for facets that show off the clarity and brilliance but will lessen any window effect. Good quality topaz gemstones are usually free of major inclusions or blemishes within the stone so a simple check with the naked eye should be enough. Finally, saturation, and this defines the intensity or brightness of the color, with most Topaz, look for intense and vibrant colors. Then there is tone, which is simply how light or how dark the color is – very dark blue could describe some London Blue Topaz. So, for example, a topaz could be described as yellowish-red. The hue is the main color of the stone, red, yellow, blue, plus any complementary colors such as orange, green, violet. With Topaz it is the color that is the most important and color can be broken down into three parts, hue, tone and saturation. The coating is on the back of the cut stone (called pavilion) so we suggest a closed pavilion setting to protect this area from daily wear and tear.Īs with most gems, an appraisal of a gemstone's quality is based on the 4 Cs, color, clarity, cut and carat. Some enhanced Topaz such as Mystic Topaz is given a coating treatment and this coating can be scratched. While topaz gemstones are strong enough to withstand the rigors of daily wear care should be taken to avoid any sharp blows and should be stored carefully to avoid contact with hard materials which could break, chip or scratch the gem. This cleavage is more of a concern for cutters, engravers and mounters, as normal day to day use of a topaz is unlikely to incur a blow of such force as to break a topaz gemstone. Its hardness rating on Moh’s scale is an impressive 8, just below that of sapphires and rubies however it also has perfect cleavage meaning it splits along the direction of its crystals. From the lightest of silvers to the reddest of golds you will find the right color Topaz. The wide variety of colors means you will have no trouble matching topaz with any jewelry alloy. This hardness, as well as its availability in large crystals, makes it perfect for an array of fancy cuts including concave cuts where the shaping of the gemstone results in a lot of wastage. Topaz is a beautiful gemstone which, because of its durability, is an ideal gem for any type of daily wear jewelry. GemSelect does not guarantee any claims or statements of healing or astrological birthstone powers and cannot be held liable under any circumstances. Should you have any medical conditions, please see a licensed medical practitioner. This information is not to replace the advice of your doctor. Traditional, Ceremonial and Mythological Gemstone Lore is collected from various resources and does not represent the sole opinion of SETT Co., Ltd. Nowadays Topaz is said to improve posture and stimulate the heart and is still highly recommended for those who wish to improve their eyesight!ĭisclaimer: Metaphysical and Alternative Crystal Healing Powers and Properties are not to be taken as confirmed advice. These remedies may not impress your medical insurer but show the history and tradition of the healing properties of topaz. In India, topaz has been used to treat tonsillitis and mumps and the medieval kings of Europe would put topaz into wine to check for the presence of poison. In the 13th Century, St Hildegard, who wrote one of the earliest books on medicine, had this to say about failing eyesight: steep a topaz in wine for three days and then lightly rub it over the eyes. Most topaz is naturally colorless or white but can come in a number of tints due to impurities, usually chromium. In nature, some of the largest crystals ever unearthed are topaz, often in flawless pieces, perfect for faceted gemstones. Topaz makes an ideal gemstone, it comes in a wide range of colors and its relatively hard qualities allow for many uses. The word topaz may have been derived from the Greek island of Topázos in the Red Sea where a yellow stone was mined and the Greek verb topazein meaning 'to try to find' but I prefer the Sanskrit word 'Tapas' meaning heat or fire as the source of the modern 'topaz' as it more captures the brilliance of the gem. As gem traders began to get more sophisticated, they came to know that these yellow stones may be quartz, beryl, sapphire or what we now know as topaz. The name Topaz has been used to refer to yellowish gemstones for at least 2000 years although early gem traders did not realize that these yellow stones could be a variety of different crystals.
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