Topaz: The Symbol Of Strength & Wisdom

History & Mythology

The topaz (one of the main gemstones mined in Chitral District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan) is actually a far more interesting mineral than it appears at first glance. The relatively bad press the topaz routinely gets is likely because it was considered a "diamond replica" by some cultures in the past. But, in reality, the topaz has a very diverse history & an impressive array of applications.

The topaz has been considered an important gem practically since the beginning of Time. The Ancient Egyptians believed that the yellow topaz contained the power, heat & light of the sun, likely because of its color & its curious radiance even in relative darkness. The Ancient Greeks said that a topaz had the power to render its wearer indestructible, probably because of its extremely hard surface. The name "Topaz" is said to be derived from "Tapas", the Sanskrit word for "Fire". The association between the topaz & the sun or fire also indicates its connections to stories such as the Greek legend about Prometheus, in which fire symbolizes knowledge & progress.

Healing Properties

Many gemstones & other precious minerals are believed by herbalists to have curative powers. The reason that this field doesn't get much attention is that Science hasn't quite understood how do fragments of stone actually cure disease or at least relieve its symptoms. Case in point: the curious stories about the link between Chinese jade & cancer treatment. But whether all these stories are true (or just some are), if you really want to understand which gem could play a promising role in which ailment, you must start by studying the history & mythology surrounding that gem.

For instance, the topaz is associated with strength & wisdom. Therefore, ancient doctors would use it as a treatment for anorexia (which is connected with a loss of strength), insanity (the short-term or long-term absence of reason), irritability (which can often be combated by a logical perspective) & nervous exhaustion (the most common trigger of which is confusion about how to deal with Life's challenges).

Economic Uses

Aside from its value as a gemstone, the hardness of the topaz makes it heat-resistant & corrosion-proof, making it a very useful refractory material. It is used as a steel-making flux, in fluorine compound production, in glass-making & in ceramic manufacturing.

Indeed it is expected that as the US Government pursues its privatization of the US Space Program, a durable material like topaz is likely to continue growing in importance.