‘Tis the Season for Topaz
The month of November brings us the two t’s – turkey and topaz. I’m here to talk about the latter: the popular and diverse November birthstone, topaz.
The color of topaz varies from clear, yellow, orange, red, blue and green. Imperial topaz, the orange to golden gem, is generally recognized as the traditional birthstone for November babies. The imperial topaz is not enhanced by heat or any other treatment process and is widely considered to be the most sought after and elusive of all natural topaz in the world. Much of the world’s supply of imperial topaz is found in the mining region of Ouro Preto in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Topaz is said to be the gemstone of understanding, wisdom and fulfillment. This stone is believed to bring clear understanding, both of yourself and the world around you, as the stone of self-realization and worldly wisdom. Others credit the topaz as a healing stone, a protective stone and a promoter of truth. Folklore claims that topaz can calm a bad temper and give people strength. It was also ground into powder form and used as a cure for both asthma and insomnia.
Ancient Hindu mythology held that the use of the topaz would ward off injury or attack. People who worked under stress and strain, and whose duties involved handling dangerous machines, wore the stone. Topaz could also be a perfect stone in an engagement ring, since it is also believed that the spouse of the topaz wearer will be faithful and loyal forever.
Scorpios (born between October 24th and November 21st) are also linked with the topaz stone and it is advised that “it should be worn by every Scorpio to guarantee protection from ‘tears of sad repentance’. In the United States, topaz can be found in New Hampshire, Colorado, Utah, California and Mexico.
Tags: birthstone, color of topaz, engagement ring, gemstone, golden gem, Imperial Topaz, mining region, natural topaz, Ouro Preto, Topaz, topaz stone