In the southern Urals, in the gold washings of the River Sanarka, yellow Topazes are found closely resembling those of Brazil. Associated with them are amethysts, rubies, chrysoberyls and many other precious stones. Topaz crystals of good size and color are found quite abundantly in Japan, although they have not yet been cut for gems to any extent. There are many localities in the United States where Topaz occurs, and it is often of gem quality. The group shown in the plate illustrates its occurrence at Thomas Mountain, Utah, a locality forty miles north of Sevier Lake. The crystals are found in cavities in the rock. They are never very large, but are usually clear and bright. They occur in somewhat similar fashion at Nathrop, Colorado. In the Eastern States Topaz was first found at Trumbull, Conn. It is here quite opaque and not suitable for gem purposes. Good gem Topaz has been found at Huntington and Middletown, Conn., however, and especially at Stoneham, Maine. In these localities it occurs in granite.
Of other stones which are sold under the name of Topaz the most common is the so-called Spanish or Saxon topaz. This is simply smoky quartz heated until it turns a yellow color. It can easily be distinguished from true Topaz by the properties above given.
At the present time it is also quite the common practice to vend ordinary colorless quartz under the name of Topaz. These practices are harmful to the reputation of true Topaz, as these forms of quartz are common and cheap and lack many of the desirable qualities of that stone. There is also a so-called Oriental Topaz which is a yellow form of corundum. It is heavier and harder than true Topaz, but its color and luster are not generally considered as desirable as those of that mineral. About forty years ago Topaz was quite popular as a gem and commanded three or four times its present price. At the present not more than two dollars a carat is often paid for the stone.
Topaz is often referred to by ancient writers and is mentioned in the Bible as one of the stones to be put in the ephod of the high priest; also as one of the gems worn by the King of Tyre and as forming one of the gates of the Holy City. Curiously enough, the gem referred to in these instances was the modern chrysolite, while where chrysolite is spoken of our Topaz is usually meant.
A Topaz presented by Lady Hildegarde, wife of Theodoric, Count of Holland, to a monastery in her native town, emitted at night, according to legend, a light so brilliant that in the chapel where it was kept prayers could be read at night without the aid of a light; a statement which might well be true if the monks knew the prayers by heart.
The spiritual qualities associated with Topaz are fruitfulness and faithfulness. It is also said to confer cheerfulness upon its wearer. The ancients believed that it calmed the passions and prevented bad dreams; that it discovered poison by becoming obscured when in contact with it; that it quenched the heat of boiling water, and that its powers increased and decreased with the increase and decrease of the moon. Also a Topaz held in the hand of a woman at childbirth was believed to lessen suffering. Lastly, a Topaz is the gem of the month of November:
“Who first comes to this world below
With drear November’s fog and snow
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.”