|
|
|
|
 |
Topaz can be transparent
yellow, yellow brown, orange brown, light to almost medium
red, very light to light blue, very light green and violet
colors. It is quite hard, but can crack easily when a
jeweler is working on it. Topaz comes from Brazil, Mexico, Sri
Lanka, Russia, Burma, Pakistan, South Africa, Nigeria, Texas
and in many other places in smaller amounts. It is commonly
found in gravel as little round pebbles, after being worn
down by water and sand for thousands of years. This gemstone began to be used in
Marco Polo's time (13th Century). Topaz mounted in gold and
hung around the neck was believed to stop people putting
spells on you. Then the stone was ground into powder, and
put in wine. People thought it was a cure for asthma, for
not being able to sleep, for burns and bleeding. The word
Topaz may come from the Sanskrit
word for fire, "Tapas", because of its fiery
orange color. The stone can be treated to change
its colour. Heating brown ones can turn them pink or red.
Treating them with gamma
rays can make a topaz a
deeper blue. A light coloured topaz that has been treated
with gamma rays to turn it deep brown will fade in the
sunlight. The change is not permanent. This is a green topaz pendant, surrounded by diamonds.
