Topaz: The Birthstone for November

Although Topaz is now widely recognised as November’s birthstone, it has been worn for many different reasons over the centuries. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the gemstone was seen as a symbol of strength, and ancient Egypt, where golden Topaz was associated with the sun god, Ra. During the Renaissance period, Europeans believed that Topaz could break spells and calm a temper, and in India many people have worn the stone to promote a long, enriched life.

Think of a Topaz, and you may be thinking of a soft, icy blue hue. However, this blue colour is nearly always caused by a treatment of the stone – the gemstone also comes in pink, orange, purple and many other colours. Colourless Topaz is also very common, and these are usually treated to create the blue Topaz.

The different varieties of Topaz are usually named by their colour, e.g. Pink Topaz. However, special trade names also exist for certain stones, such as the yellowish brown Sherry Topaz. Most prestigious is the Imperial Topaz, with its warm, reddish orange hue. Its name originates from nineteenth century Russia, when pink Topaz from the Ural Mountains was named as a tribute the Russian czar. Today, Imperial Topaz is the most prized form of the gemstone, and can cost thousands of pounds per carat!

Topaz Jewellery

Because Topaz is such a hard stone (registering an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness), it can be cut into almost any shape for a piece of jewellery. In its natural form, Topaz grows in an oblong shape, making it perfect for emerald and baguette cut stones. Topaz can also withstand a really tough polish, giving it a slippery mirror shine that is ideal for faceted cuts.

Despite its durability, care needs to be taken when cleaning Topaz jewellery to keep in its best condition. Use warm water and a soft jewellery cloth to clean, avoiding harsh detergents and soap, as this can dull the appearance of the stone. When not in use, Topaz jewellery ideally needs to be stored in a jewellery box away from other jewellery that could scratch the surface.

Here at Cuttings we often feature Topaz jewellery within our product ranges. Feel free to come and visit us in store to see our full collection!