 The
Egyptians said that topaz was colored with
the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra.
This made topaz a very powerful amulet that
protected the faithful against harm. The
Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who
also is the god of the sun. Topaz sometimes
has the amber gold of fine cognac or the
blush of a peach and all the beautiful warm
browns and oranges inbetween. Some rare
and exceptional topaz are pale pink to a
sherry red.
Wear topaz only if you wish to be clear-sighted:
legend has it that it dispels all enchantment
and helps to improve eyesight as well! The
ancient Greeks believed that it had 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. Its
mystical curative powers waxed and waned
with the phases of the moon: it was said
to cure insomnia, asthma, and hemorrhages.
Throughout history, quartz has been the
common chameleon of gemstones, 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. Topaz is the birthstone
for those born in the month of November.
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