| December's birthstone, the topaz is a very | | | | the reasons that blue topaz jewelry is so popular |
| interesting gem. Those with topaz jewelry will find | | | | and available. |
| themselves with a piece that varies from a light | | | | Topaz has long been used in the jewelry of |
| and shiny aqua blue to a dark and dreamy | | | | ancient civilizations. Beginning with the Romans and |
| turquoise blue that is known as London Blue. In | | | | the Greeks, topaz jewelry was very valued. This |
| many cases, the London Blue that is seen is | | | | gem was mined in medieval times; although the |
| created from Topaz that is treated with intense | | | | topaz that was sought after was a |
| heat to cause a deeper color change. To have | | | | maroon-yellow color. The rulers of the time would |
| the gem appear to be a dark blue in nature is | | | | have topaz put in their crowns and was always |
| very rare and certainly would make the gem | | | | considered to be a rare gem until the middle of |
| very valuable. | | | | the nineteenth century. It was at that time that |
| The gem is clear and its natural color actually | | | | very large deposits of this gem were discovered |
| ranges from a clear color, like that of a diamond | | | | in Brazil. Once this happened, it allowed it to be |
| to a pink, red, yellow and then the blue that we all | | | | popular and enjoyed by many. It is now found in |
| know. The name actually means fire, perhaps | | | | Brazil, Australia, Burma, Nigeria and Mexico. |
| those who named this gem were looking at the | | | | Topaz is considered to be very sacred in the |
| red variation? In that respect, it may have | | | | Hindu religion, it is one of the scared stones of the |
| resembled a ruby. However, now-a-days, the | | | | Kalpa Tree and believed to ail those who thirst, |
| topaz that is used for jewelry will be the beautiful | | | | give a heightened sense of intelligence and allow a |
| blue that we all associate with this special gem. | | | | person to live a longer life. In the country of |
| Topaz jewelry is very popular for several | | | | Africa, the gem is used by the bushmen for aid in |
| reasons. One main reason is that it is very strong. | | | | journeys and for healing. Long ago, topaz jewelry |
| It is also affordable. Topaz is easy to take care | | | | was believed to give the wearer an attraction to |
| of; most of the jewelry is cleaned and taken care | | | | wealth and also aided in those who worked in the |
| of with a simple gem stone cleaner that keeps it | | | | arts. It is said to give creative powers and helps |
| sparkling. The topaz jewelry that is popular today | | | | people with concentrating. It was also thought to |
| will be blue in color. This version may have been | | | | help wearers sleep well and to be of use when |
| treated to produce the blue color; it is very | | | | someone had an addiction to lustful sins. Now, we |
| difficult to know if a gem has been changed from | | | | all know topaz jewelry to be simply beautiful and |
| its natural color. It is quite legal and accepted for | | | | fun to wear. |
| these gems to be turned blue and that is one of | | | | |