“Who first comes to this world below
In drear November’s fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.”

Topaz is a common gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewellery.  It can be found in a wide range of colours but the yellow variety, discovered in the Middle Ages, and blue stones are the most familiar.  At one time, all yellow-coloured stones were called topaz and often, the gemstone is confused with Citrine quartz (yellow) and smoky quartz (brown).  The red stones are the most valued ones as they are quite rare.

Topaz is associated with the values of strength, wisdom, and courage and is often given as a wedding anniversary present on the 19th or 23rd years of marriage.  They is commonly found in Russia, Sri Lamka, Brazil and Pakistan.

Pure topaz is colourless and transparent. The transparent ones look like Diamonds. For instance, the enormous and magnificent topaz from the Portuguese crown, the Braganza, was for a long time thought to be a diamond.

Typical topaz (maybe harshly titled) refers to yellow, pale grey, reddish-orange, or brown varieties.

Orange topaz also called precious topaz is the symbol of friendship.

Imperial topaz is yellow, pink (really rare when it is natural) or pink-orange. Some imperial topaz stones can fade on exposure to sunlight for an extended period of time.

Blue topaz is quite rare. Typically, colourless, grey or pale yellow and blue material is heat treated and irradiated to produce a more desired darker blue.

Mystic topaz is colourless topaz which has been artificially coated giving it the desired rainbow effect.

Rainbow Mystic Topaz