What is the Meaning & Definition of Topaz

The Topaz is a mineral with little presence in nature. It is formed from the crystallization of magma. It is a nesosilacato with a structure in the form of tetaedro. Its most characteristic color is yellow, also arises in other colors, such as green, pink or blue. Their variety of colors makes that he is easily confused with other minerals, for example with the phenakite, zircon, quartz and diamond. As for his toughness, has value 8 on the Mohs scale (TALC is the least hard mineral with a value of 1 and the diamond is the most resistant, with a value of 10).
Traditionally Topaz has been used as a gemstone in jewelry, although in recent years it is also used in the field of gem therapy, knowledge which is based on the supposed power of stones.

Etymology and presence of Topaz in culture

From the point of view of the etymology, the word Topaz comes from the latin topazium, which in turn is a loan from the Greek word topazos. The first testimony of the word appeared in the Natural history of Plinio the old in the century l d. C. This historian and Roman naturalist attributed the name of this stone to the island of Topazos in the Red Sea (currently referred to as Zabargad or isla de San Juan and form part of Egypt).
Gemstones have been associated with supernatural powers since ancient times. In this sense, the Egyptians believed Topaz color was a feature that came from Ra, the Sun God. The Greeks believed that this striking mineral had healing properties and was beneficial for the eyes, asthma or to treat hemorrhages. It was also used as a amulet or talisman. It must be borne in mind that medicine was steeped in occult and esoteric vision in the ancient world. On the other hand, in the old testament, there are references to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was adorned with precious stones (sapphires, emeralds and topazes, among other valuable stones).
In the Middle Ages was associated Topaz with the mental strength and the creativity of its wearer. In the Middle Ages it was consolidating the cristalomancia, a technique of divination based on the structure and characteristics of precious stones (according to divination Crystal Topaz is related to leadership). In the century XlX tsars were discovered deposits of this stone in Russia and in a few years aficionaron look it on palaces. Currently there are esoteric currents that consider the gemstones possess positive energies and at the same time such powers relate to the forces of the universe (the Blue Topaz power spirituality and Topaz clear purifies the emotions).
Their variety of colors has created more than one confusion (the Topaz of Braganza of the century XVlll found in Brazil and belonging to the Portuguese Crown was initially considered as a diamond).
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.