Blue Topaz
Meaning and Properties
History
Although most natural topaz is actually colorless, ancient lovers of gemstones assigned the name to almost any yellow and brown gemstone. The name itself likely comes from an island in the Red Sea, which the Greeks called Topazos (it's now named Zabargad). The stone we modernly call "topaz" was never found on Topazos, but other gems--called "topaz" by ancient peoples without mineralogy--certainly were.
The topaz is one of the stones reportedly set in the breastplate of the Hebrew high priest. The ancient Greeks thought that topaz gave them strength. During the middle ages, people thought topaz could break magic spells.
Blue topaz is one of the accepted modern birthstones for December.
Metaphysical Properties
Topaz is considered a mellow, empathic stone that soothes, heals, recharges and re-centers its wearers. Associated with compassion and communication, it's a preferred stone to wear for "building bridges" between people. Blue topaz, in particular, is believed to promote truth and forgiveness, relaxing the spirit as well as the body. Those who use meditation advocate it as a splendid stone for attuning to their higher self.
Topaz of any color is often used to strengthen emotional support, stabilizing the emotions and making the wearer receptive to love from every source. It is believed to unburden the soul of arrogance and calmly verbalize in emotional situations.
Geological Properties
Topaz is a hard stone with a range of natural colors, with some colors being more valuable. In fact, the value of some topaz is based on their depth of color, not their carat weight! This aluminum silicate stone contains up to 20% fluorine or water (which determines its color) and often grows into large crystals. The largest topaz, now in the Museum of Natural History in New York, weighs 600 pounds!
Blue topaz--created by flooding a colorless topaz with gamma rays-- is tremendously popular. As long as the gemstone is clearly marked during sale, this is considered a legitimate practice. (All topaz in the U.S. must be tested for radiation levels--a precaution not required in other nations.) Topaz treated in this way is reminiscent of fine aquamarine, with a delicate blue color that occasionally displays a grey or green undertone.
Topaz is currently found in Brazil, Nigeria, Australia, Myanmar and Mexico.
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Proper Care of Blue Topaz
Because it cleaves (splits) easily, topaz should never be cleaned in a steamer or ultrasonic cleaner. It should also be protected from sudden changes in temperature and from all acids. Keep blue topaz out of the sun, as the stone is easily bleached by heat and UV light.
To learn more about blue topaz and other gemstones, order your copy of Walter Schumann's revised and expanded edition of Gemstones of the World.
Designing with Blue Topaz
Blue topaz is the color of water, making it a wonderful substitute for the rarer and far more expensive aquamarine. No wonder this popular gemstone has been used for centuries in jewelry! Use it wherever you want the exquisite sense of crystal clear faintly blue water. It's a cool refreshing stone to use any time of year, but especially during summer. As an alternative birthstone for December, it can be used to replace or replicate blue zircon.
View more resources featuring blue topaz, including Design Ideas, Videos, Tutorials and more!
Shop for Blue Topaz
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
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