life in the facet lane by Diana Jarrett GG RMV

Does the word topaz bring to mind a luxurious honey hued gemstone? You’d be right to think that. Its very name, topaz, is derived from the archaic Greek “topazios.” In ancient times, the lustrous tawny yellow stone recovered from an island in the Red Sea had gemstone fans swooning over its translucent tints—thus starting a centuries-old love affair with this rich stone.

What’s in a Name?
Anytime you have a gemstone that ancient, there are bound to be legends and folklore attached to them. That’s part of the fun, isn’t it? Early English superstitions believed that holding topaz cured lunacy. And the Romans who were known to travel the world setting up outposts truly thought that the topaz protected travelers from danger. All good benefits.

The stone’s loyal devotees have kept this jewel in the forefront of desirability all this time. We love topaz today for its lustrous polish and strength, ranking a solid 8 on a Mohs hardness scale. But gemstones are sometimes found in a few different hues. It’s their chemical makeup that actually places them in each category. In fact, topaz is a silicate mineral which can be produced in several intriguing shades in addition to colorless. Yellow topaz also enjoys a variety of similar tints on the color wheel—like orange, pinkish red and amber brown.

Got the Blues?
But let’s look at the range of blues that topaz is produced in as well. Separating the shades into London (deep hued) Blue, Sky (a lighter version), and the popular Swiss Blue Topaz (a vibrant midtone), they each have a charm of their own.

Naples fashionistas are the perfect collectors of blue topaz, as each variety reminds us of our sparkling Gulf waters nearby. Blue is the universally most popular color for both genders—and for women collectors especially. It lifts the mood, making any time of the year cheery and bright.

Haven’t added blue topaz to your collection? Well, it’s certainly worth a thought. After all, color has an immense impact on our mood—and this blue stone is definitely upbeat.

Surround yourself with things you love, and you’ll always wear a smile.

Contact Diana Jarrett Diana@DianaJarrett.com     Blog www.color-n-ice.com