What are the History and Scientific Forms of Topaz?
Topaz Stone has a wealth of ancient history and folklore attached to it and can be found on the market in a variety of colors. The stone can be found in such diverse locations as Russia, Brazil, Central Asia, the American West, and the island of Sri Lanka. Though this stone is relatively hard it should be protected when worn as a gemstone since its near-perfect cleavage makes it susceptible to breakage.
The color of the natural topaz stone is most often colorless to yellow but can be treated to achieve many different colors though this stone can often be mistaken for yellow corundum otherwise referred to as sapphire or for citrine. Topaz can be cut into a variety of beautiful and unique shapes, forms, and facets rivaling those of diamonds and other hard precious stones.
History of Topaz
Stones mined in Russia were often pink topaz and were once considered the sole property of the Czars in the nineteenth century and were referred to as imperial topaz. The known history of this stone dates back some three thousand years to ancient Greece and was sometimes referred to as topazes which means seeking or to seek. Topaz was very often confused with peridot stone and all stones that were yellow in color were once referred to as topaz. This stone has often been associated with the sun in ancient cultures including the Romans who dedicated it to the sun god Saturn.
Birthstone Information
Yellow topaz is the birthstone of November and is associated with the astrological birth sign of Sagittarius. Blue topaz are the birthstones of the month of December through blue stones do not occur naturally and are the result of a color enhancement process using irradiation.
New Age Beliefs and Powers Through The Ages
Like many other stones, topaz is thought to ward off physical illness and improve mental health. Some even thought that this stone could prevent the sudden onset of death. In the New Age community, Blue Topaz Gemstone aid the wearer in interpersonal communication and can aid in preventing a variety of diseases and illnesses.
Artificial Forms of Enhancement
Heat is sometimes used as an artificial form of enhancement which can cause a pale blue stone to fade and become colorless. If a brownstone contains chromium the color can be changed to pink or violet when heated. Stones that have been exposed to a process of irradiation turn the blue topaz stone.
General Scientific Information
- The chemical name Al2SiO4(FOH)2 also referred to as aluminum fluorosilicate.
- Topazis generally colorless but can be found in colors ranging from pale blue to yellow, pink, and sometimes brown.
- Hardness measures 8 on the Mohs scale - the Mohs scale measures the hardness of metals, minerals, gemstones, and crystals on a scale of 1 to 10.
- The Birefringence is weak and ranges from 0.008 to 0.011.
- The index of Refraction is ranging from 1.606 to 1.638 and generally indicates the purity of the stone.
- The Specific Gravity is ranging from 3.4 to 3.6.
- The Crystalline System is orthorhombic.
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