Blue topaz is both famous and valuable and many people automatically think of it when they hear the word "topaz." On the other hand, yellow topaz is its striking counterpart. A different color of the same very hard gem, the November birthstone has been surrounded by myth and legend since before the time of Christ. Although currently less well known than blue topaz, it has often been associated with great power. Currently mined in Brazil, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Russian, Nigeria, Mexico and the U.S., yellow topaz is the most common, and least expensive color of topaz. While yellow topaz is now used mainly for ornamental jewelery, it has a long and interesting history.
Origins of the Word
There are two stories behind the origins of the word "topaz." One claims that the names comes from "tapas," the Sanskrit word for fire. The other attributes the first use to Pliny the Elder of Ancient Greece. According to this version, the word is derived from "Topazos" which was the Greek word "to seek" and also an island in the Red Sea. However, the stone that Pliny the Elder was talking about was probably not actually a topaz, as the gem was not really known or mined until the classical period.
Bible Reference
It is for this same reason that a topaz reference in the Bible is also considered false. The stone in the Hoshen described in Exodus was probably chrysolite, the same one that Pliny was actually describing. Indeed, identity confusion is a common theme in the history of yellow topaz.
Ancient Times
When topaz did finally achieve popularity, it was said to have medicinal and spiritual properties. Because the colors of yellow topaz resemble those of the setting sun, it was often linked to a sun god. In the case of the Ancient Egyptians, this god was Ra, and for the Romans, it was Jupiter. The Romans believed that yellow topaz could improve eyesight, while the Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect from injury. On the other hand, the Ancient Greeks thought that it could make one stronger or even invisible.
Middle Ages
At some point in the Middle Ages, the word "topaz" came to mean any yellow stone. This makes following the history of the gem difficult during this period. Yet, it is known that those living during the Middle Ages thought that yellow topaz could heal mental and physical disorders. They even thought it could ward off death itself.
Brazil
From the 18th century onwards, Brazil has dominated the mining of yellow topaz. By 1730, almost all Brazilian locations of topaz were being mined. Most topaz from Brazil originated from near the town of Ouro Preto, the same town that has supplied half of the worlds gold. One of the most well known mines is called Capão which means "Big Pit" in Portuguese. Once harvested, the gems supplied jewelery for the royal family of Portugal which had control of Brazil.
Russia
The Portuguese were not the only ones to use topaz for royal jewelry. In the 19th century, Russia began mining yellow topaz in the Ural mountains. Some of the topaz was actually more pink/orange than yellow. It was these special stones that were used in the Czarina's jewelery and became known as "Imperial Topaz."
Today
Nowadays, the confusion around yellow topaz continues. Many common stones are sold under false names such as "smoky topaz" or "gold topaz." The most common substitute is citrine which is much softer than topaz and also considered a birthstone of November. These mix ups have led to a devaluing of the actual gem. Brazil still produces most topaz and on the hillsides around Ouro Preto, single miners can still be seen panning for it.
Tags: yellow topaz, Middle Ages, word topaz, also considered, mining yellow