About Topaz
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About Topaz
The astrological sign of topaz is Sagittarius.
Topaz is the symbolic gemstone for the 16th wedding anniversary.
Topaz is the birthstone for the month of November.
Physical Properties
Topaz chemical composition: Al2SiO4(F,OH)2.
Class: nesosilicate.
Crystal system: orthorhombic; 2/m2/m2/m.
Specific gravity: 3.4 – 3.6.
Hardness: 8.
Topaz History
The name ‘topaz’ was used to refer to any yellow stone in ancient times. Topaz was first used to describe the mineral that we know today as topaz in 1747 when Henckel described the Saxony deposits. Even today one often encounters the erronious terms smoky topaz and madeira topaz being used for smoky quartz and citrine quartz, respectively. Until the 18th century, the name topaz was often used in refering to our present day mineral peridot.
The name ‘topaz’ is thought by many to be derived from the ancient Sanskrit word tapas meaning fire. Another theory which was first put forth by Pliny in the first century A.D. is that the name topaz was derived from the Greek word topazos or topazion meaning to seek, which was the name of an island in the Red Sea (known today as ‘Zeberget’, or the ‘Island of St. John’) which is thought to have been an ancient source for the gem peridot, but not topaz.
The term imperial topaz originated in Russia in the 19th century, when topazes with pink tones were discovered there and proclaimed by the Czar to belong only to himself and the royal family, and others to whom he had given it as a gift.
Topaz was one of the stones in the ‘Breastplate of Judgement’ of Aaron, described in the bible (Exodus: xxviii, 15-30). In Vedic astrology ( 1000′s of years older than western astrology, and still practiced by millions today), topaz is asigned to the planet jupiter. Historically, topaz has been thought to give long life, good looks and inteligence. It is also thought to given protection from poison, disease and sorcery.
Topaz and Desire
One can focus their desires through this stone, visual images in the mind are transformed into universal messages. Enables communication from other realms in the universe.
In mysticism, the topaz is attributed with a cooling, styptic and appetising effect. It is said to dispel sadness, anger and nocturnal fears, to warn its wearer of poisons and protect him or her from sudden death. It is reputed to make men handsome and intelligent and sterile women fertile and happy. However, it is probably better not to rely too much on its magical powers, since it was also claimed that you could immerse your hand in boiling water after a topaz had been thrown into it and retract it again unharmed!
References
All information taken from the following sites:
Gemstone.org
Mineral Miners