Topaz Rings
Topaz has been known to man for over two-thousand years. It is
even mentioned in Exodus as having been a stone in the first row of the
breastplate of Aaron. However, the use of the word 'topaz' is a modern
rendition. Since the topaz was barely known at that time – 1300 BC – in all
probability, the stone in question was a chrysolite. Controversy also exists as
to which tribe the aforementioned 'topaz' stood.
Topaz is mined all over the world; Pakistan, Russia, China, Afghanistan, Norway,
Germany, Sweden, Italy, Japan, Mexico and even in the United States at the
eponymic Topaz Mountain in Utah. However, the largest topaz discovered to date
is 'El Dorado'. Weighing in at 6.2 Kg (over 14 pounds!), it was unearthed in
Brazil in 1984 and now resides in the British Royal Collection.
View our Entire Line of
Topaz Rings and
Gemstone
Rings.
The topaz itself does not seem to help resolve its contradictory state of
affairs because under certain conditions it can and does change color. For
instance, yellow and brown topaz become reddish-pink when heated. Topaz of this
shade was extremely popular with Russian royalty during the time of the Czars.
To this day, it is known as 'Imperial Topaz'. If you apply Titanium Oxide to a
topaz, it will display iridescent color. This stone is marketed today as a
'Mystic Topaz'. A colorless topaz will turn a dark, almost electric, deep blue
when irradiated. Of course, then the stone then has to be quarantined for a few
months while the radiation dissipates – a small price to pay for a thing of
such remarkable beauty.
Next:
Topaz Jewelry Symbolism
Previous:
Topaz Rings History
|