Yellow topaz is the traditional birthstone for November. Topaz untinted by impurities is clear, but most typically it is yellow or wine colored, and sometimes blue, or orange, gray, pink, green or brown. Most often it occurs in igneous rocks. Some crystals have been found in Brazil that have reached boulder size. Other locations where topaz is found are the US, Europe, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka.

The Bible mentions topaz as one of the gems in the breastplate of the Second Temple. In the book of Revelation, Saint John lists topaz as one of the foundation stones representing the Christian virtue of contemplation. Saint Hildegarde claimed that the light from a topaz enabled her to read prayers in a dark chapel. Early Romans associated topaz with their god Jupiter, and Egyptians said that topaz, the sun jewel, symbolized the sun god Ra.

The El Dorado topaz, mined at Minas Gerais in Brazil, is not only the largest faceted topaz in the world, it is also the world’s largest faceted gemstone, at 31,000 carats. Another famous topaz is the colorless Braganza diamond, set in the crown jewels of Portugal.

Topaz is number eight on the Mohs scale of hardness. Although it can be broken by a sharp, glancing blow, it makes fairly durable jewelry. This factor, along with its clarity, fire and attractive color make the gemstone topaz very popular.