Birthstone December: the topaz

The name Topaz comes from Greek and is derived from an island in the Red Sea; Topazos. This would be the place where the Topaz was discovered for the first time. However, it is now thought that the yellow gem that was found there on that island at the time was peridot instead of topaz. Old writings call the gems topaz, but it is doubted whether this is the same gem as the gem that we now call Topaz.

Topaz can be found in Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Nigeria, the United States but also in European countries such as the Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Italy and Sweden. Saxony in Germany was already an important supplier of topazen in the 18eeuw, and topazes were then also called Saxon diamonds. In contrast to other precious stones, topaz are usually found large rough pieces. One of the largest sharpened topazes can be seen in the National Historical Museum in Chicago and has a weight of almost 6,000 carats.

Topaas kan gevonden worden in Rusland, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Brazilië, Mexico, Australië, Nigeria, de Verenigde Staten maar ook in Europese landen als Tsjechië, Duitsland, Noorwegen, Italië en Zweden. Saksen in Duitsland was in de 18eeeuw al een belangrijke leverancier van topazen, en topazen werden toen daarom ook wel Saksische diamanten genoemd. In tegenstelling tot andere edelstenen, worden van topaas meestal grote ruwe stukken gevonden. Eén van de grootste geslepen topazen is te zien in het nationaal historisch museum in Chicago en heeft een gewicht van bijna 6000 karaat.

The topaz exists in many colors. For example, there is the Imperial Topaz, the most rare one, which varies in color from yellow to pink-orange. Topasse heats can cause other color variations, so yellow Topaz becomes pink when it is treated. Blue topaz is obtained by treating the colorless topaz with heat. There are three different types of colors of blue topaz, namely the "Sky Topaz", which is light blue, the "Swiss Topaz", which is aqua blue, and the "London Blue Topaz", which is bright blue. These blue top applies come out the best in normal daylight and are therefore ideal to make your daily outfit sparkling.