Oftentimes people think only of blue in relation to topaz, but blue is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this precious gem. The origin of the word topaz originates from either the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire, or the ancient Greek word topazos, meaning a yellowish-brown color. The warmer hues of topaz fall into two rare categories, imperial and precious, encompassing a large range of colors such as red, orange, yellow, pinkish orange, purple, pink, and green. Precious topaz usually refers to yellow to orange hues, whereas imperial topaz falls into the pinkish orange, purple and pink color range. While a great number of mined stones are colorless and then heat-treated to create more saleable blue hues, the imperial and precious colors are more highly regarded and collected.
Imperial and precious topaz have several unique characteristics. The rough material grows as columnar crystals, which are often reflected in the faceted stones. These gems also exhibit pleochroism, an optical phenomenon which causes them to display different colors when observed at different angles. Topaz is commonly inclusion-free and is an 8 on the MOHS scale for hardness. They are a hard stone, but due to their crystal structure they can cleave if struck forcefully. One of the most important sources of precious and imperial topaz is the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Topaz was discovered there in 1768 and celebrated widely by the Portuguese royal court. Currently, there are several additional sources of topaz including Pakistan, Madagascar, Namibia, and the Ural Mountains in Russia. Regardless of whether the gem is named imperial or precious, it is the color, not the title or origin, that determines the value.
Topaz is the birthstone for the month of November and is thought to have calming energy and the ability to bring fortune and warmth to the wearer. Ancient Greeks believed it to engender strength while in the Middle Ages it was used to thwart magic spells and dispel anger. In India, many people wear topaz above their heart for long life, beauty, and intelligence.
