Topaz has been seen as a sign of power and prosperity throughout history, with different civilizations associating the gemstone’s warm hues with healing, wealth and protection from harm. As a November birthstone, topaz represents love and affection and is believed to give strength to those who wear it. In recent years blue topaz has been used as an alternate birthstone for December.
Topaz in History
A true symbol of success, topaz was believed to have been able to attract gold and was often associated with royalty in the Middle Ages, thanks to its yellow-golden hues. Advancements in mining technology and gemstone refining in later years led to the discovery of naturally occurring topaz of different hues—with cool grays and blues, and more vibrant reds and pinks becoming available.
In modern jewelry, the title of “imperial” is reserved for select topazes that have both perfect cleavage and the rare pinkish-hue. The rarity and quality of the imperial topaz have made it highly sought after for both personal collections and as gifts to others. Traditionally, blue topaz is used to commemorate the 4th wedding anniversary, However, the imperial topaz is reserved for a couple’s 23rd wedding anniversary as a sign of their strengthened bond and commitment.
Topaz crystals are typically elongated, therefore, polished gems are often cut long.
Today, Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers of topazes, followed by Russia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and some smaller mines in countries like Japan, Australia and the United States. In Utah, topaz is recognized as the official state gem, as a result of large deposits found in the Thomas Range in Juab County, at the top of what is now called Topaz Mountain.
Famous Topaz
El Dorado Topaz
Known as the largest faceted gemstone in the world, the El Dorado Topaz weighs in at 31,000 carats—outweighing the next largest faceted gemstone, the Lua de Maraba Topaz, by nearly 6,000 carats. The gemstone was discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil in 1984, where it was cut and polished into its perfect emerald shape.
Lua de Maraba Topaz
The Lua de Maraba Topaz is most notably recognized by its size and ultra-rare gray color. With a total carat weight of 25,250, the Lua de Maraba is the second-largest faceted gemstone in the world. “Lua de Maraba,” translates to “Moon of Maraba,” which refers to one of the largest cities in Brazil’s southern region, near the mines where the gemstone was originally discovered.
American Golden Topaz
The American Golden Topaz takes the title of third-largest faceted gemstone in the world, weighing in at 22,892 carats. The pale-yellow gemstone was discovered in the Minas Gerais, Brazil, before being sold to an American company in the 1980s. Skilled gemologist Leon Agee spent the next two years cutting and polishing the American Golden Topaz into a perfect cushion-cut with 172 facets.
Caring for Your Topaz
Special care should be considered when cleaning and maintaining the brilliance of your topaz. Wash your topaz gently, in warm soapy water, and dry with a soft cloth. Avoid harsh steam or ultrasonic cleaners and store topaz jewelry in a soft cloth or padded container, away from other pieces.
While topaz is durable enough to withstand everyday wear, high heat and sudden temperature changes may cause topaz to form breaks within its structure. Long exposure to sun and light radiation may also cause topaz to discolor. Jacqueline’s Fine Jewelry recommends having your topaz cleaned professionally and inspected at least twice a year.
Jacqueline’s Fine Jewelry stores in both Uniontown, Pa. and Morgantown, W.Va., stock loose topaz stones in a variety of shapes and sizes. During November you can save 10% on the purchase of a topaz and setting at Jacqueline’s Fine Jewelry when you have the gem professionally mounted by our jeweler. Available mountings for topaz include rings, necklaces, and earrings.