Imperial Topaz gems are a reddish orange color and that most often associated with Topaz in the past was yellow, but with irradiation and heat treatment the range of hues reaches into the blues, pinks and beyond.

The history of the gemstone Topaz is clouded somewhat by the fact that the ancients used the name ‘topazius’ to indicate Peridot (because it came from the Isle of Topazius in the Red Sea).  Early writings use such terms as Sardius, Hyacinth and Adamant to indicate gemstones we commonly call by other names in modern times.

It was definitely a Topaz that had been worn by both Pope Clement VI and Pope Gregory II that was said to cure plague victims. 

It was during this time (15th century) that the Topaz was a favorite choice for ecclesiastic jewellery.

In 1855 an interesting recipe for curing 'dimness of vision' was published. 

It was written that,

" a Topaz engraved with a falcon and worn in a piece of jewellery would attract the goodwill of Kings and the powerful of all nations." 

The four gifts of symbolic jewelry sent to King Richard the Lion-Heart by Pope Innocent III in 1198 were rings, each bearing a jewel that carried a message.  The Topaz ring;

This piece of jewellery was accompanied by a ring with a Garnet, one with a Sapphire and also an Emerald ring.  To find what these gemstones, and the shape of the ring itself, symbolized for Pope Innocent III visit Gemstones in Religion.

Buying tips for Topaz and jewelry gifts

One characteristic of Topaz gems that needs to be considered is its tendency to cleave.  Make sure that the girdle of the gem is wide enough to be stable when the stone is being set in the piece of jewelry and when the jewelry is in daily use. 

Topaz Gems

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