Topaz

Topaz is the gemstone most often associated with the month of November. It is also the talisman of Sagittarius and the suggested gift for the 23rd anniversary. This gemstone is often confused with citrine and smoky quartz. Topaz can be found in blue, green, orange, red pink purple and colorless. Blue was once very rare but, with the advent of heat treatment it is now very common and the color treatment is stable. In the 18th and 19th century’s the czarinas of Russia wore a lot of the medium reddish orange to orangey red variety of topaz. This is how that variety has become known as “Imperial Topaz”. Another variety that is described as Sherry topaz is the yellowish brown to brownish yellow in color. Topaz measures 8 on the Mohs scale. It is found in Australia, Mexico, Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the United States.

2012-11-03