By Medvedeva Polina and Shchetneva Natasha Topaz By Medvedeva Polina and Shchetneva Natasha

ALL ABOUT Topaz makes an ideal gem. A good hardness and desirable colours, combined with a relative abundance and availability makes it one the most popular gemstones. The most valuable colours of Topaz are the golden orange-yellow type, called Imperial Topaz, and the dark pinkish-red and orange-red colours. Value increases with a deepness of colour in orange and reddish hues. The most commonly used colours of Topaz in jewelry are the blue types. Only last century blue Topaz became widespread on the gem market, since virtually all blue gem Topaz is irradiated and heat treated.

HISTORY Topaz has a long history that goes back at least two thousand years. The use of topaz goes back to Egyptian times when the ancient Egyptians believed that yellow topaz received its golden hue from the God of the Sun, Ra.

TOPAZ COLOUR Topaz ranges from colourless (white) to yellow, orange, red-brown, light to dark-blue, pink to red, violet and light-green. This is the reason why it can be mistaken for many other gemstones.

TOPAZ SOURCES The largest Topaz producer is Brazil. Other sources are in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, China, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mexico, and the U.S. (California, Utah, and New Hampshire).

Topaz is the traditional birthstone for November. USES Topaz of all different colours are used in jewelry, in rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets. The blue, orange, and pink colours are most often cut as gemstones, and colourless Topaz is becoming increasingly popular as an inexpensive Diamond simulacrum. Gigantic gems and faceted spheres are cut from huge flawless crystals, and these make exquisite and exclusive collectors items. Topaz is rarely cut into cabochons. Topaz is the traditional birthstone for November.

Topaz makes our life more beautiful!