Topaz is a gemstone of beauty and splendor. The topaz, when pure, may be colourless, and when cut appropriately, it has been mistaken for diamond.

Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine that is valued as a gemstone. It is commonly associated with formations in the igneous rocks.

It is believed that the topaz was unknown to the ancients until the middle ages. There was a time when any yellow stone was considered to be topaz. One source believes the name Topaz, is derived from the Sanskrit word 'tapas' that means fire. According to another source, the name comes from the Greek word 'topazos' which means 'seeking something'. The Romans dedicated the topaz to the planet Jupiter.

Topaz came from mines in Upper Egypt during the middle ages. Subsequently they have been available in the Ural Mountains in Russia, parts of Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Norway, Italy, Sweden, and parts of the United States.

The colour in which the topaz is most commonly found is yellow, and other different shades of yellow like, yellow-brown, honey-yellow, straw-yellow. Some are light blue, light red and pink and sometimes they are colourless. The most valuable among them is the 'imperial' topaz in a yellow orange or wine hue. The blue topaz is now increasingly becoming popular.

Topaz Trivia

• Topaz is the state gemstone for the US State of Utah and the Blue topaz is considered the state gemstone of Texas.
   
• The Topaz of Aurungazeb, measured 157.75 carats.
   
• The most famous Topaz or the " El Dorado" is the biggest Topaz available. It is kept in the British Royal Collection. This famous Brazilian Topaz weighs almost 6.2kgs.
   
• The great Braganza diamond of Portugal is probably a topaz.
   
• The finest British topaz is found in the Cairngorm group of mountains in the central Highlands.