December is for Topaz

December is for Topaz

Or is it?
You will see different versions out there. Some sites mention turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. To me and maybe in for some of you too, blue topaz speaks for December. Topaz in general is considered November's Birthstone along with Citrine. Blue topaz in particular is December's birthstone
Here are some fun facts about the stone:
  • Natural blue topaz is rare as natural topaz is mostly colorless. As such, blue topaz in the market today is treated with radiation.
  • To achieve the color, they expose topaz to standardized radiation in a nuclear reactor. This changes the color of the stone, which produces a deep blue.
  • Topaz can come in other colors, London blue topaz is a dark blue topaz with medium to dark tone and saturation. Compared to the Swiss blue topaz, London blue is more valuable and a market favorite.
  • As usual, ancients had a great appreciation for this gemstone. Using it to symbolize love and loyalty, everlasting love and friendship. Topaz a mellow stone that soothes, heals, recharges and re-centers its wearers.
  • Promotes compassion and communication. It's a stone to wear for "building bridges" between people.
  • Associated with the throat Chakra, topaz promotes healing for throat ailments.
  • Blue topaz gets its origin name from an island in the Red Sea, which the Greeks called Topazios. The gemstone was actually confused with peridot and olivine. Topazios never produced topaz
  • Topaz can be found in places like Burma, Nigeria, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, USA and Ukraine. Minas Gerais in Brazil is considered to be the source of top-quality topaz.
  • In 1768, Brazil was a Portuguese colony. It recognized it as a great commercial asset so most of the gems were transported back to Europe. Before that Germany’s Erzgeberge Mountains were a popular source.
  • Topaz is also the Sanskrit word for "fire". It is considered a strong gemstone for engagement rings and jewelry in general but it can also crack easily.

I have some beautiful 2, 4 and 6 mm London Blue topaz available for jewelry. Please let me know if you'd like to claim any of them for a custom piece. 

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