Now no one can tell for sure exactly how the name of this many-sided and amazing stone happened - its origin is shrouded in mystery. There is a version that the stone was named after one of the small uninhabited islands in the Red Sea, where it was found for the first time in history - and this island bears the proud name Topazios. Meanwhile, according to legend, this island has always been shrouded in a kind of mystical fog, through which only the bravest dare to penetrate.
Maybe the name of the stone comes from the Greek topazos (search) or from the Sanskrit “tapas”, which in translation sounds like “fire”, “passion” or “heat”? Which of the versions is true is unknown, but in any case, the ancient meaning of all the names bizarrely merged in the properties of the stone.
Topaz stone whose properties are difficult to list, has many names - imperial, heavyweight, Brazilian ruby. He was nicknamed the Heavyweight because he has a high density and hardness. Primitive people noticed these properties and made tools from topaz.
In ancient Greece, this stone was very loved and attributed to it the ability to reconcile people, eliminate hatred and dispel doubts. It was believed that topaz stone, the properties of which the ancient Greeks knew well, gave women beauty, and men - wisdom and judgment. Later, topaz was nicknamed the “stone of the courtiers” - it was believed that this gem helps to easily maneuver among intrigues and conspiracies. Currently, topaz is a gemstone that is used in the jewelry industry.
This stone in nature can be found in the form of drusen or well-formed crystals with a large number of faces. Topaz stone whose colors can be different, has a glass luster. It is mined in the Urals and in Eastern Siberia, as well as in Ukraine. Pink topazes are mined in the Urals, smoky in Ukraine, and yellow, green and blue in Siberia. But sometimes topazes are completely colorless, white, which in the old days was accepted or passed off as diamonds.
In America and Mexico, topazes are mined from bright yellow, golden, to the color of strong tea. In Brazil, rare red topazes, the so-called Brazilian rubies, are mined, but purple is considered the most valuable. Brazil is the largest supplier of cheap topaz, they also found the largest topaz weighing 270 kilograms. This stone has taken a worthy place in the collection of the New York Museum of Natural History.
The color of the stone depends on the impurities of iron, titanium and chromium, and with strong heating or under direct sunlight can change. For example, after heating, yellow topazes turn pink.
Topaz stone, the properties of which were used by healers, is considered healing and is used in the treatment of various eye diseases, for example, myopia. They used stone for insomnia, nervous disorders and even poisoning.
It is even believed that with the help of topaz, diseases of the kidneys, spleen and gall bladder can be cured. Some healers using this stone stopped the bleeding and relieved attacks of bronchial asthma. It is believed that if you wear topaz on the body, then immunity increases and a person is less sick with colds.
Topaz stone whose properties were used by magicians, has long been used for the manufacture of amulets and talismans that protect against damage, the evil eye and black witchcraft. The magical properties of this stone have been used by people from ancient times. For example, in India, topaz was considered a magical means of restoring hope, and in the East - a symbol of spiritual enlightenment. Ancient legends testify to the magical properties of topaz, in which this stone pacifies the raging elements, which is why the stone is considered the talisman of all travelers, businessmen and scientists.