The golden glow of late afternoon, the reddish orange of sunset and the pink of dawn's first light, these are the colors of topaz, a gem with the warm tones of the sun. Like the sun, topaz is flattering to the skin, lighting up your face with a golden glow that enhances every color in your wardrobe.

The ancient Egyptians said that topaz was colored by the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra, giving this brilliant gem the power to protect the faithful against harm. The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun.

Topaz can be the amber gold of fine cognac or the blushing pink-orange of a peach and all the beautiful warm browns, golds, and oranges in between. Some rare and exceptional topaz is pale pink to a sherry red. All of these colors are known as precious topaz. Blue topaz, a popular affordable gem, has an enhanced color: topaz with a natural blue color is very rare.

Rare pastel pink topaz is found in Pakistan and Russia. When pink topaz was first discovered in Russia, ownership was restricted to the Czar and his family and those to who he gave it as a gift. This is why fine colored topaz is known as imperial topaz.

In Brazil, miners have long called all yellow gems topazio . True topaz is called topazio imperiale. Today, most dealers in the United States only use imperial to refer to topaz with rich reddish orange, sherry red, or vivid deep salmon pink colors. Almost all imperial topaz is mined in Brazil. Other shades, including yellow, peach, orange, and brown precious topaz are called precious topaz. Precious topaz is found in Brazil and Sri Lanka.

Legend says that topaz has the power to dispel enchantment. The ancient Greeks believed That topaz could increase strength and make a wearer invisible in times of emergency. Topaz was said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink. Topaz is the birthstone for those born in the month of November.

A large spectacular topaz, known as the Braganza, is the centerpiece of the Portuguese Crown. Topaz occasionally grows in massive crystals: the largest known is 597 pounds! Topaz holds the record for the worl'd largest faceted gemstone: a staggering 36,854 carats.

Precious topaz is most often found in a scissors cut, a rectangular gem cut with curved sides that has triangular facets. Ovals, cushions, and emerald cuts are also available.

Topaz is a very hard gemstone, with a Mohs hardness of 8, but it can be split with a single blow, a trait it shares with diamond. As a result it should be protected from hard knocks. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.

The beautiful cool blue of the sky is captured in blue topaz. This pastel blue gem is a designer favorite since it is affordable and available in a wide range of gem shapes and sizes. Its bright and lively color looks right set in both yellow and white metals. You'll find that this versatile gem complements almost everything in your wardrobe, from browns and grays to vivid tones.

Blue was once the rarest color of topaz, but today it is the most common, thanks to a stable color enhancement process developed in the 1970s.

The popular icy pastel blue color is created by exposing colorless topaz to irradiation and then heat. Lighter colors are created by electrons and the darker blue known as London or Super blue is created by exposure to neutrons. The process can take minutes or years, as high-energy processes require that the topaz is stored before it can be released safely.

The pale or colorless topaz used in the process is mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and China. The gems are usually cut before they are treated.

Legend says that topaz dispels enchantment. The ancient Greeks believed that topaz has the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. Topaz was also said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink.

In 1969, blue topaz was named the state gem of Texas to celebrate a small deposit of natural pale blue topaz that was found in the state.

Because blue topaz is readily available and affordable, it can be found in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including unusual cuts. Large dramatic gems are readily available.

Topaz is a very hard gemstone, but it can be split with a single blow: a trait it shares with diamond. As a result it should be protected from hard knocks. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.