Do you want to know the secrets of topaz? Can’t blame you. People love secrets. And keep them—for as long as they can. Until human frailties take over and create that strong urge to let those secrets out.

Like this article. It’s kind of letting out the little secrets of this under-rated gem. Not that Mr. Topaz would mind.  In fact, he might even welcome it so you will get to know the real score of this gemstone, which has been misunderstood in the past.

The Secrets of Topaz

Before we dive into our topaz facts, let us first explore little-known facts about this gemstone. We know you’re curious about this gem so here are a few to whet your appetite:

• Ancient Egyptians believe their sun god Ra, created the topaz’s yellow hues
• The origin of the word “topaz” is the Greek word “Topazios” (also known as Zebergad). It is a small island in the Red Sea where several gemstones were found. Sadly, none was topaz.
• A 1,680-carat “diamond” was found in Brazil in 1740—which is similar in appearance to the piece in this Sundance Catalog review. Being amazed by the discovery, the was put in the country’s crown (Brazil was a Portuguese colony then). Later on, it was found to be a colorless topaz.
• Topaz is the birthstone of two months: November for the light yellow variety, and December for the blue.
• This gemstone changes color upon exposure to low heat. Hence, most topaz in the market are treated to enhance their color

Now that you know some of its secrets, let’s get down to the real deal. But keep on reading. There are more along the way.

What is Topaz?

Topaz is an aluminum silicate mineral with fluorine. It is quartz and, as such, it is colorless by nature. However, contamination from other minerals or from its own imperfections makes topaz multi-colored. For example, chromium contamination makes pink, red, violet to purple topaz. And atomic level imperfections produce the yellow, brown, and blue varieties.

The most common colors of untreated topaz are pale yellow, brown and gray. Imperial topaz, the rarest of them all, is colored dark orange, or pink—making it among the top pink gemstones.

It is called Imperial Topaz because it was first discovered in Russia and became the gemstone of Russia’s Imperial elite. Nobody else was allowed to wear them. Now, Brazil is the main source of this topaz variety and the Czars are long gone.

Topaz is a fairly common gemstone. Good-quality varieties can be found in the United Kingdom’s Cairngorm Mountains, a major topaz source. Germany is famous for its pale yellow crystals and fine topaz can also be found in several localities in the Ural Mountains and Siberia – both in Russia.

Colorado and San Diego, California, U.S.A., also produce fine topaz as well as Takayama and Tanokamiyama, in Japan.

But Brazil tops them all when it comes to the finest of the fine sherry-yellow topaz from the Ouro Preto mines in  Minas Gerais.

There are as many colors of topaz as the rainbow (not including their color combinations), but the most popular topaz color for jewelry is blue. Blue topaz jewelry is the perennial top-seller in the U.S. But take note that natural blue topaz is very rare. So what you get, in all probability, is treated.

Why is Topaz so Expensive

Is topaz expensive? “Yes,” and “No.”

“No,”  if you are talking about treated gems. Let’s take the example of the most sought-after—blue topaz, a lot like the one in this Swarovski review. When it was first introduced into the market several years back, the price was between $20 to $40 per carat. They have plunged since then due to over-supply. Blue topaz now is a mass-market item.

“Yes,” if you are looking for those natural varieties with very intense colors. They are expensive. The more intense the color is, the more money you have to pay to get a carat.

For example, a carat of rich orange colors can fetch more than $ 1,000 (for 10 carats + stones). And a rich pink or red can reach as high as $ 3,500/carat.

If money is no problem, then there is nothing better than wearing topaz in its most intense natural colors.

But for those who don’t have the budget and are content with colors that speak their personalities, then a treated stone is the second best. It may not have the color intensity of a natural, but nobody would know – unless you are in the midst of people who know gemstones.

Here’s a good guide if you’re interested in going into the topaz mania:

Color

The value (and price) of topaz is dependent on its color. The more intense the color, the more expensive it is.

Pink and blue are rare, hence expensive. Yellow, on the other hand, is less expensive because it is more common.

Between the two, pink and blue are often treated to bring down its price.

Nevertheless, check the stone’s color under different lighting conditions – artificial or natural – to see the stone’s color saturation (check chart below to understand the term).

Other than checking the stone inside a jewelry store (where there is ample lighting), also check it outside in broad daylight to be sure of its color saturation.

Clarity

It goes without saying that topaz gemstones with fewer internal flaws are more expensive than those with more. Therefore, with the naked eye, check your gemstone under enough light. The cleaner it is, the better is its clarity.

But there is a caveat to this.

Since topaz comes in different hues caused by different impurities, some stones may not be naturally clearer than others. For example, some pink topaz varieties are not so clear due to the impurities that gave them their color. In cases like this, it is purely your call whether to buy it or not.

Cut

The way a gem is cut can enhance or diminish its luster. If you are a bit fuzzy on this, ask your dealer whether the gem you are interested in ïs cut “shallow” or “deep. The bottom line is that when the stone is mounted on its setting, a large area of it must still be visible.

Topaz gemstone cut too deep will be “buried” in its setting. Imagine this:  a deep cut is like driving a nail through a plank of wood until what’s left to see is the head. It’s ok in a nail-wood relationship. But in a jewelry item where only the gemstone table is seen, it is ugly.

Conversely, a gem cut too shallow shall comprise the integrity of its setting. Have you lost a stone from your earring, pendant, or ring? That’s a case of a shallow cut.

Again, discussing these things with your jeweler is of utmost importance.

Natural or Treated

Asking this question may be redundant because most topaz in the market are treated. But ask anyway. It’s best that you know so you won’t fall into the “false claim” trap.

Appearance-wise, you could not tell the difference between the two. The only giveaway is the price—treated is cheaper than natural.

So here’s a brief rundown on the ways topaz is treated:

• Heat treatment – colorless topaz is heated and coated with a layer of metallic oxide to create a vibrant pink color similar to that of the Imperial or precious topaz
• Irradiation – this consists of two types: neutron bombardment in a nuclear reactor or electron bombardment in a linear accelerator. Neutron bombardment produces the greenish or graying “London Blue” topaz, while electron bombardment produces the aqua or “sky blue” variety. Note: if neutron bombardment is used, it may take a year before the stone can be used to make sure it is no longer radioactive
• CVD (chemical vapor deposition) – is a process of covering topaz with a chemical vapor to create shades of red, teal, and an array of colors to create an iridescent stone. The result is a very beautiful gem. But it doesn’t last long and it needs extreme care in handling to avoid scratches and abrasions.

Imitations

Although topaz is a form of quartz, it is not exactly the same, and this is how imitations come in. Quartz, when heated changes colors. And this is exploited by some dealers by passing them off as topaz.

If you’re in doubt (and the dealer won’t mind), do a scratch test. Topaz will scratch glass. Ordinary quartz will not.

Some dealers may even entice you with fancy Brazilian Topaz, Gold Topaz, Bohemian Topaz, or many other brands. Jewelry items are expensive and when you’re offered something too good to be true, always remember that saying, “a sucker is born every minute.”  Don’t be that sucker. Go to a reputable jewelry store and, if possible, ask for certificates of authenticity for the items you buy.

What is the Spiritual Meaning of Topaz

Since ancient times, topaz has been known for its spiritual meaning(s), like the following:

• Ancient Greeks believed the stone gave them strength
• The Ancient Egyptians believed topaz’s yellow hues have multiple healing properties, while the Romans believed that the stone could warn the wearer of a potential poison in food or drink.
• In Rennaisance Europe (1300 to 1600 a.d.), people thought topaz could break magic spells and dispel anger.
• Indians, for centuries, wore topaz above the heart for long life, beauty, and intelligence.

Topaz, other than the Greek version of Topazios, has an equivalent in Sanskrit—tapas—meaning fire. As such, it is believed to possess the essence of fire—heat, energy, passion.

Spiritually, topaz is taken as the stone of nobility, love, passion, and purpose. Its fiery energy is associated with high-self esteem and good fortune; strengthens one’s self-confidence, inner power, and abilities.

The gem:

• soothes heals, stimulates, motivates, and re-charges the wearer
• it promotes truth and forgiveness
• and it brings joy, generosity, abundance. and good fortune

Just as the sun shines on anyone, the energy of topaz allows you to;

• forgive others—no matter what
• make you better understand the behavior of others
• get rid of anxieties and fears; strengthen your wisdom, optimism, and clarity
• help you set personal goals by making affirmations and manifestations work
• make you feel confident; encourage you to share your knowledge with others
• promote openness and honesty, self-control, and self-realization
• speed up spiritual development at the time when it is most needed.

Health

Your beliefs and well-being are intractably linked together like salt and pepper. Your belief (religion) engenders positive thoughts, comfort, and strength. And prayers can contribute to your well-being.

And what role does it play with regards to your health?

Topaz appeals to the upper chakras of the Throat and Brows. When these are blocked or out of balance, you will feel “voiceless” in this world; as if your opinions and feelings don’t matter. This clobbers your self-esteem. And poor self-esteem can drive you to isolation, loneliness, and depression.  From there, it is just one step closer to medical illnesses, or even suicide.

This stone will help you avoid all that. Simply use the gem’s gentle soothing vibration to drive unwanted thoughts, words, or emotions from your mind to open the entry of healthy, vibrant, and positive feelings.

Relationships

Topaz’s aura is not, by any means, confined to self. Just like a fire’s heat radiates all around, the gem also induces a profound effect on people who are close to you.

Here are a few things  this gem can do to straighten up your relations:

• helps increase your love for yourself and your partner
• promotes love and romance
• helps you find the love that you desire
• will show you how to overcome the challenges in your love life
• gives you  the confidence to express yourself to your partner in a way beneficial to your relationship
• helps you articulate your thoughts and feelings when you need to say something important.

But all its symbolism and meanings are nowhere near this simplest but most charming topaz meaning—it aids one’s sweetness and disposition.

This stone is a symbol of love and affection. It is a mellow, emphatic gem that soothes, heals, and recharges one’s soul, wearied over the hectic pace of one’s life; promotes forgiveness and truth. The stone cuts through doubts and uncertainties and gives you the power to follow your dreams.

Pablo Neruda says, “Whenever you touch topaz, It touches you. It awakens a gentle fire, like wine awakens in grapes.”

Now, that you know all about topaz, you may be interested in learning about its crimson cousins. Read our article, “How Much Do You Know About the Top Red Gemstones” and know more about these fiery gems.