Topaz History
Topaz has a long and rich history, with an analysis of the stone dating back to Pliny the Elder. This stone is almost always associated with that honey-lie hue that you see embedded into any ring or pendant that has this stone. Topaz is an immensely diverse stone in terms of color; in fact, topaz is actually colorless, and as is the case with numerous minerals, the color is dependent on inclusions or impurities in the stone.
Topaz has the luxury of being a birthstone for two months—December & November. December is a little more strange, and it has not been traditionally called a birthstone for that month except in very recent times. However, when it is listed as a December birthstone, then it's blue topaz.
Since topaz has a great deal of color variation, certain names have become popular to describe them (aside from the obvious). For example, imperial topaz is the name for reddish-orange topaz, and others use the name to describe a more pinkish topaz. In any case, this somewhat loosely defined imperial topaz was a prize for Russian nobility. As a result of the poor definition, it would be baseless to assert that any certain color has more authority over another in terms of what describes imperial topaz. Sherry topaz is another name for a sherry-colored topaz, typically one that is more amber-like in hue. Mystic topaz is a name used to describe certain types of enhanced topazes.
With a certain source or kind of marketing, however, there is no doubt that new names will pop up to define certain kinds of topazes. Thus, you should be vigilant. Despite being loosely defined marketing names, the terms above are still used with certain limitations regarding color, quality, and source. It would be best if you watched out for certain names trying to inflate the value of certain types of topaz. "London Blue" and "Swiss Blue" describe varieties of blue topaz that are not well-attested; these terms may also describe treated topaz but may be sold as though this color appeared naturally.
Topaz Metaphysical Properties and Use
Among contemporary spiritual communities, topaz is said to be a sorcerer's stone that facilitates the natural flow of magic & mysticism; topaz is also said to be a strong gemstone whose energies incite confidence and decisive action.
Others believe it speaks to the mind in a clear voice, and it can encourage work with the Akashic Records. Thus, some believe that those who want to discover new inspiration and drive energy through their work in life should consider meditating with topaz.
This stone is said to motivate you to seek your passions, joys, and dreams and to find success doing what you love the most; the spiritual community holds it as one of the few gemstones that work with the same strength through all dimensions in the universe. In addition to this, blue topaz, in particular, is said to bring magic to your relationships and encourage love for true romance.
Historically, various cultures held the stone as a supernatural source of strength, intelligence, and wisdom. In other instances, people believed the stone could dispel curses or other black magic.
In any case, the stone was prevalent among certain royal families. One notable example is present in Russian noble families, which is unsurprising since the Urals were a primary source for mining topaz.
Topaz comes in a rainbow of colors; it is most often colorless, white, yellow, brown, reddish, or pale blue. Topaz is one of the birthstones for November, usually in its gold coloration. Because of this variation, some believe that each color has its own enhancements or attributes that are useful in meditation. For instance, some believe that blue topaz is more attuned to helping maintain a calm atmosphere.
The following claims, as are many in the metaphysical or crystal healing community, are not verified by science or healthcare professionals; one should not substitute professional care or treatment with the use of crystals; there is no scientific basis behind the claim that certain crystal formations or colors provide any benefit aside from the placebo effect; meditation, however, is known to have certain benefits (https://www.harvard.edu/in-focus/mindfulness-meditation/), but this should not be considered as an alternative or substitute or replacement for traditional, verified medical practices, and one should always seek help from medical experts for matters and affairs concerning health, this should not be considered an alternative to seeking professional medical or health advice, treatment, or expertise.
Aside from this, topaz has become a staple in jewelry. Outside of the haute culture of Russian nobility, it had prominence in rings and pendants across numerous periods of history. It is a stone that can proudly claim it has had a fairly significant reputation and prevalence across multiple periods of history. Its staying power might stem from the color variety; some colors are more precious than others, however. The fact of this matter has not changed; topazes with a pink undertone are expensive, and imperial topaz—no matter how imprecise the definition is—remains the most prized variety of this stone, and a good specimen comes with a hefty price.
The Wrap Up
Topaz is a popular stone, and its popularity has remained since ancient times. Blue, red, yellow, gold, or even pink—there is not exactly a short list of shades that this stone comes in. There are many new stones and minerals discovered all the time, and this is a prime choice to examine why some classic stones have earned that reputation.
If you have topaz, what color is it? No matter which it is, there's still a rainbow of beautiful colors out there, and a lot of them shine through this gorgeous stone. Thank you for reading!
Sources
https://www.gia.edu/topaz-description
https://www.gia.edu/topaz-history-lore
https://www.mindat.org/min-8110.html