Topaz Gemstone- Semi Precious Stone

 

The topaz is a fluorine aluminium silicate and comes in yellow, yellow-brown, honey-yellow, flax, brown, green, blue, light blue, red and pink ... and sometimes it has no colour at all.

The topaz has been known for at least 2000 years and is one of the gemstones which form the foundations of the twelve gates to the Holy City of the New Jerusalem. These so-called apocalyptic stones are intended to serve in protection against enemies and as a symbol of beauty and splendour. It cannot be proved conclusively whether the name of the topaz comes from the Sanskrit or the Greek, though the Greek name 'topazos' means 'green gemstone'. The Romans dedicated the topaz to Jupiter.

The colour in which the topaz is most commonly found is yellow, and that is the colour in which it occurs in one of the major German gemstone rocks, the Schneckenstein (a topaz-bearing rock said to resemble a snail) in Saxony. In the 18th century, it was mined there during a period of over 60 years. However, most of the crystals were hardly a centimetre in diameter. You had to go to Siberia or Brazil to find crystals as large as your fist. Having said that, anyone who is interested can convince himself of the beauty of cut specimens in the topaz set in Dresden's Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault). The enormous and magnificent topaz from the Portuguese crown, the Braganza, was for a long time thought to be a diamond. It weighs 1680 ct.

In mysticism, the topaz is attributed with a cooling, styptic and appetising effect. It is said to dispel sadness, anger and nocturnal fears, to warn its wearer of poisons and protect him or her from sudden death. It is reputed to make men handsome and intelligent and sterile women fertile and happy. However, it is probably better not to rely too much on its magical powers, since it was also claimed that you could immerse your hand in boiling water after a topaz had been thrown into it and retract it again unharmed! It is the stone of the month November.

In the Empire style, the topaz was still widespread, but then the more reasonably priced citrine took over from it and even usurped its name - gold topaz. Since then, the topaz has been a rather exotic figure in the jewellery trade, and has been given the additional predicate 'pure' to make it clear that the topaz, not the quartz topaz, is meant. And it is still waiting for its well deserved comeback to this day.

Types of Topaz

The market is flooded with different types of topaz today. If you plan to buy topaz, it is vital to know the various types. Read on to know the various types.

Imperial Topaz - The imperial topaz is the rarest and most expensive type. It has a beautiful yellow shade. This type of topaz appears to have a golden-orange-pink colour under daylight and appears orange-pink under incandescent light. However, this gem is imbued with pinkish to reddish tints to enhance its yellow shade to a richer golden shade. Imperial topaz is very popular and the most sought after gem by jewellers.

Precious Topaz - Precious topaz is mined in many places across the world amongst which Brazil is the most famous. It is a yellow crystal used widely in jewellery items and other attractive ornamental purposes. It is highly valuable than other synthetic or man-made topaz gems. Topaz is a highly precious gemstone having a hardness factor of 8 and a high refractive index.

Blue Topaz - Topaz stones generally undergo an irradiation treatment by synthetic means to enhance their colour.  Natural precious topaz gems are exposed to the irradiation treatment to preserve their golden-brown colour. Whereas, on the other side, colourless or smoky topaz gems when exposed to irradiation by electrons and neutrons result in beautiful different colours. The colour mostly results in blue and other shades of silver, green or teal. They are not true topaz stones and relatively inexpensive.

There are various colours of blue present in the topaz like sky blue, London blue, Swiss blue, light blue, sierra blue and electric blue.  However, the colours within the stone can fade after sometime or even break off as they only touch the top layer of the stone.

White Topaz - White topaz is a clear and transparent type which can be mistaken with a diamond when cut perfectly. The white topaz is the most common variety. The Glacier topaz is the purest type of white topaz. These gems are untreated because of their clear purity. The glacier topaz is found in Murzinka mines in Ekaterinburg.

Smoky Topaz Gems - The smoky varieties are also mined in many places around the world. They are quartz like crystals having an orange or yellow colour. These topaz gems are not precious gems technically, but are often confused as being real topaz due to language disparity

 

 

Blue Chalcedony Gemstone- Semi Precious Stone

Blue Chalcedony is a demure crystal, subtle and mystic, cool and serene, ethereal yet solid. It has an inviting, soft blue translucence, and an almost imperceptible movement within the stone that invokes a stillness of silent reverence. It's calming, and speaks of spirit and trust.

Chalcedony is a member of the Quartz family with a cryptocrystalline structure, perfect for magnifying its crystal energy to soothe and restore balance, from the conscious mind to the inner child, all the way down to the animal self. Its name may be derived from the Greek port city of Chalcedon. The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome used varieties of Chalcedony in jewelry and carvings, and, as gems of antiquity, they were believed to imbue their holders with certain powers.

Chalcedony is known as the Speaker's Stone, the stone of one who must measure his words. It encourages reflection and meditation, its gentle radiance preparing us for action but helping to hold back words we might regret. The great Roman orator, Cicero, is said to have worn one around his neck.

Considered a nurturing stone, Chalcedony absorbs negative energy and dissipates it before it can be passed on. It promotes brotherhood and good will, opening the mind to new ideas, instilling feelings of benevolence and generosity.

Chalcedony was considered a sacred stone by the Native American Indians, using it to promote stability during their ceremonial activities. It is still in use today for meditations, and as a pathway for receiving successful thought transmissions.

 
Chalcedony is common quartz found in United States, Austria, Czech Republic, Iceland, Mexico, Britain, New Zealand, Turkey, Russia, and Brazil.

Black Onyx Gemstone- Semi Precious Stone

 Onyx is one of the more popular precious gemstones. Its quality, colors and substance is very attractive by many consumers and Onyx is a great stone to compliment or accent other high quality gemstones or precious metals. The great news about Onyx is that it comes in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes to fit almost any consumer’s needs. Here is some more information.

Onyx is a beautiful type of quartz that comes in a variety of colors. It is extremely similar to Agate, another type of quartz. Onyx usually comes in black or black with white bands. The bands that are found on Onyx run parallel and are consistent. Agate bands are round or circular and are not consistent. Onyx makes a great stone to compliment other types of precious gemstones, as well as precious metals. Because black is a popular color for Onyx, many people use Onyx with gold, silver, platinum and even white gold. Onyx is also available in a red, brown or reddish brown color. These colors are usually given the name Sardonyx and they are extremely attractive and used quite frequently.

Onyx is available in many shapes and sizes. Onyx is a fairly strong stone and has hardness measured by Moh’s hardness scale of 7.0. This means that it will stand up to the daily grind and will usually last for many years, or even many generations if kept well. Onyx can come in many shapes and it can be fit for a ring, bracelet, earrings, charms, etc.

 

Aquamarine Gemstone- Semi precious Stone

Aquamarine is the beautiful gemstone that is the color of the sea, bluish – green. It has been known to man for thousands of years. Ancient sailors would take these precious stones on ships when they travelled to stay safe, in medieval ages, it was believed to have mystical qualities such as for one to be happy in marriage and to be honest and faithful. Aquamarine is made from Beryl, one of the most readily available minerals in the world; however it does include Beryllium which is a rare element.

Beryl comes in many colors, for instance, in bluish green, it is Aquamarine, when yellow or yellow orange, it is called Heliodor. Beryl also comes in a pale pink called Morganite, there is even a white Beryl called Goshenite. Besides these colors, one of the most sought after color of Beryl is the rarest of them, a deep red Beryl called Bixbate.

Beryl is a mineral that grows hexagonal in nature and its crystal habits are prismatic, elongated or flattened. The transparency and translucence of this mineral make the Beryl look very glassy adding to the overall beauty of the stone. The stone has a hardness of 7.5 or 8.0 which is considerably hard and perfect for ornamental jewellery uses. However, it should be noted that it can still fracture or break. Aquamarine has been found in large sizes weighing over 200 hundred pounds, however, most Aquamarine that is found is much smaller, usually a few carats.

The History and Origins

Aquamarine is a very popular gemstone that is found in many parts of the world. Aquamarine is made from Beryl, this mineral is very common, however it should be noted that Aquamarine itself does possess minute quantities of a very rare substance and element Beryllium. Aquamarine is known throughout the world as having a gorgeous hue of bluish green. However it should be noted that the mineral itself, Beryl can come in many colors. For instance, when it is a very intense green, it is called Emerald, when pale yellow or yellowish orange it is often give the name Heliodor, it can even occur as being colourless, the name given to it in this case is Gosenite .

Aquamarine has been known to man since the beginning of written history and has been used by many sailors in ancient times to keep them safe when sailing the seas of the Adriatic, Mediterranean and other Seas. Because, it was a common mineral, it is said to have many uses, most dealing with the mystical or fantastical. For instance, for a sound night’s sleep, sailors would keep Aquamarine underneath their pillows. Aquamarine was also a way to ward off poison. Ancient sailors said that the mythical mermaid’s tail was made from Aquamarine.

Aquamarine comes from the Latin word meaning “Sea Water”. It was also used in medieval times to preserve love between a married couple and keep a husband and wife faithful. It is given as a gift as a birthstone in March, as well as for the astrological sign of Pisces and Scorpio.