What is topaz used for? You might be surprised to find out that this popular mineral has far more uses than immediately
meets the eye. Check it out for yourself.
About Topaz
Topaz is truly beautiful and useful gemstone.
It rates an eight on the MoH scale of hardness, yet this gem can be fragile if struck at just the right angle. This is due
to it's crystal structure. For this reason, you should take care to protect any topaz you own.
Although yellow is
the best known variety of this gem, topaz does form in a range of other colors, including:
- It's
interesting to note that while topaz also forms in blue, the blue stones you'll find in your favorite store's jewelry department
have most likely had their color enhanced through various methods, including irradiation.
Now that you know
a little more about this popular gem, you might be asking yourself, "What is topaz used for?", aside from its obvious
use in the jewelry industry.
So, What Is Topaz Used For?
Beautiful and fairly durable,
this gem has found a number of uses over the centuries. Let's explore a few right now.
Birthstones
Yellow topaz is the birthstone for those born in the month of November. However, citrine is sometimes substituted because this gem is less expensive
than genuine topaz.
Traditionally, wearing yellow topaz is said to increase your ability to give love and accept
it in return. Much like yellow roses, this variety of topaz also stands for friendship, so don't be afraid to present a
close friend with a birthstone gift. It's sure to be appreciated.
Blue topaz is also one of the gems used as birthstones
for the month of December.
Crystal Energy
Many
people believe that different types of crystals give off their own energy frequency, and that these waves of energy can have particular effects on the human mind
and body. Whether or not you subscribe to these beliefs, it is fascinating to know what topaz is used for under these circumstances.
Who knows, maybe you'll give it a try and find out if it really works.
Metaphysically, topaz is said to be a stone of love, replacing
negativity with joy (but not, apparently, with joyful lust!). It is also a stone for success in all areas of life, and helps
one to trust in one’s decisions. Topaz is especially helpful with regard to creativity, and can aid in projecting
and manifesting one’s visualizations. Blue topaz is particularly connected with the throat chakra and can help with
clear communication, while golden topaz can activate the first three chakras as well as act as an energetic battery of sorts
to recharge your energy.
Topaz is believed
to:
- Warm the body
- Speed the healing of broken bones
- Ease the pain and swelling of arthritis
and rheumatism
- Positively affect the function of the endocrine glands
- Help detoxify the system of impurities
- Aid
in the treatment of mumps
- Ease eye strain
- Improve eyesight
- Improve your powers of communication
- Inspire
feelings of peacefulness
- Calm the nerves
- Improve the intellect
- Help individuals get in touch
with their higher consciousness
- Enhance a person's psychic abilities
- Help intuitive's reach their spiritual
guides
Ancient Uses
It's said that the
ancient peoples held particular beliefs about the power of topaz. In keeping with some of properties listed under crystal
powers:
- The Romans believed that this gem could be used to improve failing eyesight,
and would lay the stones on their closed eyelids as a sort of therapy.
- The ancient Egyptians were very fond of their
amulets, and they believed topaz had the power to protect the wearer from injury.
- As silly as it seems, the ancient
Greeks once believed that wearing topaz could make a soldier invisible to his enemies. You do have to wonder how long that
particular belief persisted, but there's nothing quite so powerful as the power of suggestion. Perhaps this helped the soldiers
to be exceptionally quiet and cautious, affording them the opportunity to sneak up on the enemy?
Industrial Uses
Most of us tend to think of gemstones used strictly in a jewelry
capacity, but lesser quality stones can be ground down for industrial uses as well. Topaz is frequently used as an abrasive
in many products, including scouring pads and knife sharpeners. It's even used in sanding products and grinding equipment.
Bet you never realized just how versatile topaz really is!.
