A usually yellow to brownish-yellow transparent gemstone. The stones of this most typical color of topaz are sometimes referred to as “golden topaz” or “sherry topaz”, but other colors such as pink or “imperial topaz”, blue and colorless are fairly common.

In earlier times the name topaz mainly referred to a gemstone now called olivine extracted on an island then known as Topazos or St John in the Red Sea. It was probably also given to other yellow stones which were indistinguishable from one another without adequate knowledge of chemistry and mineralogy.

Topaz is considered quite precious by the African bushmen, being used in ceremonies for healing and for connecting with spirits. The stone is believed to bring health and wealth and to protect the holder against danger. In healing it is said to “activate” the lungs, preventing colds and tuberculosis, to improve eyesight and to relieve stress. Some say that if you put a topaz under your pillow at night it will soothe the nerves and energize the body during sleep.