Breathtakingly Blue Topaz

Breathtakingly Blue Topaz

Diamond in wedding rings and engagement rings convey prestige in the jewelry industry. While topaz has been mistaken for diamond, the nobility were right from the beginning to value its brilliance and beauty. Let’s find out more about this breath-taking blue gem!

Blue Topaz Stone

Symbolism and Lore

In the ancient times, Egyptians esteemed and worshipped topaz as it was believed to hold the majestic powers of the Sun God Ra—that the deity himself painted these gems’ colors. Ancient Greeks behold topaz for giving and increasing the strength of its wearer. On the one hand, Ancient Romans sported topaz alongside reputable gems such as emeralds, opals, diamonds, and pearls. They believe that wearing topaz protects them from numerous ill-fated occurrences of poison (in the air), injury (burns), and even danger in travel. In Hindu culture, topaz signifies intelligence and long life. This precious stone is one of the sacred stones of the Kalpa tree and the talisman of nine gems. During the Middle Ages, this all-powerful stone is believed to be on the ball against spells. The belief is that topaz brings calmness over anger and fortifies intelligence. 

Modern mineralogists believe that topaz was in fact unknown to the ancients. In which, the stone they called topazos (from the Island of Topazios in the Red Sea) was the chrysolite mineral peridot. Wherefore, the “topaz” in the Old Testament may have been a chrysolite after all.

 

So, what makes a topaz and where to find one?

Topaz is a silicate mineral mainly composed of aluminum and fluorine. It is an aluminum silicate which contains fluorine and has a chemical formula of Al2 (F, OH)2 SiO4. This stone is formed through the last stages of crystallization of igneous rocks given off from fluorine-bearing vapours. Note that igneous rocks are formed after cooling and solidification of molten earth materials such as magma. Topaz helps identify and indicate the presence of tin ore. Pure topaz may be colourless. With a brilliant cut, it can be mistaken as a diamond. These gemstones are mined in various places around the world. Remarkable finest British topaz is found in countries such as Scotland and Germany (pale yellow crystals). Notable occurrences are also in Russia, Japan, Brazil (sherry-yellow crystals), Siberia, and in the United States (Pikes Peak, Colorado and San Diego County, California). 

 

Cut, Carat, Color, and Clarity

The jewelry cut showcases and magnifies the brilliance of a precious stone. Topaz as a pure crystal is one of the most important gems used as a great deal in jewelry—from necklaces, earrings, wedding rings, engagement rings, promise rings, bangles and the list goes on. While topaz is naturally one of the hardest occurring minerals, the very reason topaz is desired for aesthetic cuts may have been because of its relatively low refraction index. Its hardness scores 8 in the Mohs scale which makes it perfect for sculptural pieces. Typically, topaz crystals are elongated in form which explains why these are cut to long oval or pear shapes. The range of colors that topaz offers is vast: fiery red, brown, yellow, orange, green, pink, purple, blue, and colorless. Abundantly mined from the list is colorless topaz to which when exposed to heat produces other saturation of colors or what commonly referred as treated or burnt topaz. 

Many consumers believe that topaz is just an inexpensive blue gem. This is a common misconception! Blue topaz is hardly ever natural and most blue topaz you will find in the market is treated. In fact, strong blue topaz gems are extremely rare! The world’s biggest blue topaz is the Marbella Topaz at 8,225 carats expertly cut into a stunning oval shape. The Programa Royal Collection in Madrid, Spain is where you can marvel at this precious jewel. 

There are several terms we need to be familiar with should you be on the look for your next topaz jewelry. Imperial topaz is the term used by some dealers for colors orange to pink to red to purple while others use this for certain saturated shades. Imperial topaz refers to the color that gives topaz its value. Sherry topaz acquired its name after the sherry wine—yellowish brown or brownish yellow to orange. It’s important to take note that topaz is also pleochroic which means that this precious stone can show you different colors in different crystal directions. Proving it once again that topaz is an exemplary stone for sculptural pieces and sets of jewelry.  

Now, you may be concerned about the treatment these precious stones receive. Rest assured that national regulations around the globe ensure such safety standards before releasing these gems from irradiation facilities. Prospective on buying guilt-free and ethical brand of lab grown diamond? For safety and professional standards on your next set of purchase, consult Meycauayan Jewelries today!

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