November’s Birthstone: The Fabulous Topaz

November’s birthstone is the fabulous topaz, a word that comes from Sanskrit and means “fire.” Citrines, which look similar to yellow topaz and possess similar qualities, are often also considered November’s birthstone.

The topaz is a clear, hard mineral stone found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Russia. It occurs in a wide range of colors including red, orange, peach, pink, gold, yellow, brown, and clear (sometimes confused with diamonds). The more intense the color, the more valuable the stone. Naturally pale to medium blue topaz can also be enhanced by irradiation to produce a more intense blue color. Although topaz is a very hard gemstone, it can be split with a single blow and should be protected from hard knocks.

During the Middle Ages, topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death. The Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible, while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight. The Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury.

In medieval times, it was also believed that topaz would bring wisdom to its bearer, which explains why it was so common to give topaz jewels to heads of state, ambassadors and other officials. It is sometimes called "Imperial Topaz" because red and pink topaz gems were used in the jewelry of the 18th and 19th century Russian Czarinas. The most famous topaz was originally thought to be a diamond: a 1,680-carat colorless topaz known as the "Braganza Diamond," set in the Portuguese crown jewels. 

The ring in Hans Holbein’s famous portrait of King Henry VIII is definitely a topaz, since no other stone with these colors would have been worthy enough for a king at that time. Today the topaz is worthy of becoming a treasured gift for your loved ones with November birthdays, or at any time of the year. Ask us about some of our beautiful creations featuring topaz or citrine today!