The wonderful
'London Blue'
Topaz

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Topaz

November's stone.(See also Tourmaline)

From the Sanskrit 'tapaz' (fire), or possibly from the legendary island of Topazios in the Red Sea (modern name Zebirget).

In a spectrum of colours, including brown - yellow. 'Sherry' topaz is highly prized, natural pink topaz is rare, as is green topaz, colourless topaz can be mistaken as diamond, especially when seen as water-worn pebbles in gravel beds.

Imperial Topaz

The Ancient Egyptians associated the topaz with the sun god Ra; the Romans associated it with Jupiter, king of the gods.

Sherry topaz is said to change colour in the presence of poison, it also dispels enchantment and improves eyesight. It also reputedly cures asthma, haemorrhage and insomnia, but its powers wax and wane with the moon.

Blue topaz does occur naturally in Russia, however most modern blue topaz is heat treated brown topaz.

Measuring 8 on the Moh's scale of hardness it easily scratches quartz.