Warning: Several sections of your profile and favorites are being migrated today. We apologize for any inconvenience. Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/streeter-precious-stones/page_321 - 2
 

Sec. IV, Ch. 34: Semi-Precious Stones, Topaz

Sec. IV, Ch. 33: Semi-Precious Stones, Spodumene Page of 366 Sec. IV, Ch. 34: Semi-Precious Stones, Topaz Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
CHAPTER XXXIV.
TOPAZ.
HE name of this stone is derived from the Greek Topazios—a word which appears to have been sometimes wrongly applied to the Chrysolite or Peridot. This was probably the ancient classic gem, called in Hebrew Pittdoh by Professor Aaron Pick, and Pitdah by Genesius (according to the Massoreth), the latter of whom imagines that it is derived from the Sanscrit pita (palej, and that the Greek Topazios s a transposition from Pitdoh to Tipdoh. The ancient mineralogists described this as a pale yellowish or greenish gem found in an island of the Red Sea. Boetius says it is of a " diluted green colour with yellowness added to it." Among the virtues then attributed to it we read that "the Topaz calms anacreontic temperaments."
Under the general name of Topaz modern mineral­ogists include three distinct stones—(i) the true Topaz ; (2) the Yellow Sapphire, or the Oriental Topaz ; and (3) the Occidental or False Topaz. The second is a yellow Cor­undum, and the third is only a variety of Scotch Quartz.
The true Topaz presents a variety of colours, from clear white, when it has been occasionally palmed off as a Diamond, ranging through all shades of light blue and light green to rose pink, orange, and straw yellow. A pink colour is frequently obtained by subjecting the sherry-coloured Topazes to a moderate temperature. The instability of colour in certain Topazes is attested by the bleaching which they suffer on exposure to sunlight.
Crystals of Topaz are remarkable for their pyro-electricity — in other words they become electric on exposure to heat.
Sec. IV, Ch. 33: Semi-Precious Stones, Spodumene Page of 366 Sec. IV, Ch. 34: Semi-Precious Stones, Topaz
Table Of Contents bullet Annotate/ Highlight
Streeter: Precious Stones and Gems
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page