Topaz
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TOPAZ
At one time all yellow stones were called topazes, believed to come from a contraction of the Greek words topos and azos which can translate as “place without trees”, perhaps a reference to Zabarjad or Saint John's Island in the Red Sea. This gave rise to the common misconception that all topazes are yellow. In reality topazes come in all colors, of which the most precious is pink, although blue and green topazes are also highly prized.The most famous topaz, the Bragance (1,680 carats) which belongs to the Portuguese crown, is such a pale yellow as to be almost colorless and for a long time was mistakenly believed to be a diamond. Cartier began creating topaz jewelry in the 1920s then, in the 1930s, magnificent parures of necklace, earrings, bracelet and brooch using light and dark topazes, as well as head ornaments and necklaces in topaz and diamond. The topaz is reputed to ward off melancholy, bring wisdom and prevent its wearer from straying from the path of virtue. Fluosilicate of aluminum. Hardness: 8. Birthstone of the month of November.Its planet is Mercury. Symbol of wisdom. Brazil, United States, Russia, Sri Lanka.
