Gem of the Setting Sun

The Egyptians said that topaz was coloured with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. This made topaz a very influential amulet that protected the faithful against harm. The Romans connected topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun. Topaz sometimes has the amber gold of fine cognac or the blush of a peach and all the beautiful warm browns and oranges in-between. Some rare and exceptional topaz are pale pink to a sherry red.

Wear topaz only if you wish to be clear-sighted: myth has it that it dispels all charm and helps to improve eyesight as well! The ancient Greeks believed that it had the power to intensify strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. Topaz was also said to change colour in the presence of poisoned food or drink. Its mystical healing powers waxed and waned with the phases of the moon: it was said to cure insomnia, asthma, and haemorrhages.

Perhaps the most famous topaz is a giant specimen set in the Portuguese Crown, the Braganza, which was first thought to be a diamond. There is also a stunning topaz set in the Green Vault in Dresden, one of the world's significant gem collections.

Brown, yellow, orange, sherry, red and pink topaz is found in Brazil and Sri Lanka. Pink topaz is found in Pakistan and Russia.
Nowadays we also have blue topaz, which has a pale to medium blue colour created by irradiation. Pale topaz which is enhanced to become blue is found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and China. In early 1998, a new type of enhanced topaz made its appearance, the surface-enhanced topaz, with colours described as blue to greenish-blue or emerald green.

Topaz is a very solid gemstone but it can be split with a single blow, a trait it shares with diamond. As a result it should be protected from hard knocks.