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As Tucson’s top jewelry store, I create and customize diamond engagement rings and all types of fine jewelry in gold and platinum to meet every taste, style and budget. Did you know, I sell more diamond engagement rings and gemstone jewelry in Tucson than most everyone else? Please view some of my designs here or make an appointment to see me here here. With color gemstone jewelry as a specialty, I’m writing a year’s long blog on birthstones. November’s birthstone is Topaz.

Did you know, the ancient Egyptians believed that topaz was colored by the glow of the sun god, Ra. The ancient Greeks believed topaz had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency. Early discoveries of topaz from Brazil adorned the jewelry of the 18th and 19th Century Russian Czarinas, earning the stone the moniker of “Imperial Topaz.”

Today, topaz mines can be found in Brazil, United States, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Zimbabwe Mexico, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Russia, and China

Topaz can feature the amber-gold of cognac or the blush of a peach, and any shade of warm brown or orange in between. Some rare and exceptional examples are pale pink to sherry red. Blue, once the rarest color of topaz, is now the most common, due to an enhancement process that turns colorless topaz blue. After the raw topaz is extracted from the earth and cut, it is irradiated to brown and then heated to sky blue. This enhancement process is permanent. Other naturally occurring hues of Topaz include brown, orange, pink and rarely red. The value of these hues will be dependent upon how well saturated the color is in the gemstone, with browns being the more common, and consequently more affordable, through the more vibrant shades of orange and pink.

Topaz can be found in larger sizes which provides jewelry designers the opportunity to make larger statement pieces at very affordable prices and is regularly cut into ovals, pear shapes and cushion cuts.

With a hardness of 8, topaz is ideal for everyday wear. To clean topaz jewelry at home, soak pieces in a solution of warm water and a mild dish detergent. Use a soft brush to clean behind the setting where dust can collect, and let dry on a soft towel.

Remember, when you're shopping Tucson jewelers for color gemstone jewelry or diamond engagement rings or bridal jewelry, please keep me in mind and view my two minute video: The Secret: Why Guys Buy Diamonds from MKPJ. And you can learn about my pricing and process.