Topaz is aluminum hydroxyl-fluorine silicate with a measurement of 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. It has perfect cleavage across the crystals however, allowing separation into sharp slices. Though most identify topaz as a yellow-gold stone, most of it is clear. Clear topaz has been put to great use in this era and past ages as a diamond substitute, and nature has been known to produce single crystals of topaz weighing more than two hundred pounds. It ranges in color from pink, red, orange, and brown to white, blue, green, and gray. By some traditions it is the stone for Leos. Under other more popular traditions, it is associated with Sagittarius. Topaz was named for the fabled Red Sea island of Topasos or Topazin, now identified as the island of St. John. The original topaz from this island was probably peridot however, as it is described as a greenish stone.
In Africa, topaz is highly prized by tribesmen as a healing stone. They also put it use in rituals designed to contact the departed, and it is said to bring wealth and health to its holder. The people of the Far East also put topaz to use as a channel stone between this reality and the next, and they consider its power the greatest during the waxing moon. To the Egyptians, topaz represented Ra, the god of the sun and giver of life, and bestows fearlessness and wisdom upon its bearer. The Greeks called topaz the “Stone of Strength,” using it extensively in medicine. Topaz is one of those stones supposed to have been used in the breastplates of the Judaic high priests. Saint Hildegard of Bingen claimed topaz, soaked in wine for three days and nights and applied directly to the eyes, could cure “dimness of vision,” and the wine itself could be drunk for health up to five days after the stone had been removed. A fifteenth century doctor claimed a topaz owned by two popes, Clement VI and Gregory II, could cure the plague but he attributed the cures, not the stone itself, but to the faith his patients placed in it. Medieval mystics used topaz to treat headaches and bad dreams, as well was female problems. Used in conjunction with amethyst, topaz has a soothing, clearing, and stabilizing effect, and it is especially potent set in silver.
Topaz is known as a “stone of true love” and success in all endeavors. It promotes individuality and creativity, and provides self-confidence in expressing your ideas. Negativity is replaced by love and joy, and a trust in the universe and the “big picture.” Unlike rubies which were said to be able to bring water to a boil at a touch, topaz are considered cooling stones, able to instantly cool water, and emotions. It was said to protect from fire, and also cools lusts and lechery. Like the ruby however, topaz was credited with creating its own internal light. It is a protection against sorcery and a cure for madness. In fact, it is said to lose its color in the presence of danger.
The two most popular forms of topaz are blue and yellow. Blue topaz stimulates the throat chakra to allow clear and concise verbalization of desires. Through blue topaz, the ego becomes unburdened by arrogance and passion, effectively unclouding the eyes for clear vision of reality.
Yellow topaz, also known as Imperial Topaz, helps the user become in tune with the universe. It acts as a repository stone, storing information and energy, thoughts and emotion. It may be utilized as a battery when your energies have been depleted. This yellow or golden topaz may also be used to stimulate feelings of peace, and it attracts people for friendship or business; though be careful not to use this aspect toward selfish purposes. Topaz engraved with the symbol of a falcon was a popular charm used to attract the goodwill of rich patrons.