Topaz

Topaz is a beautiful light blue or yellow stone. Yellow Topaz is November's birthstone while blue topaz is December's birthstone. It is much less expensive than aquamarine. It looks beautiful in rings, bracelets, necklaces, and pendants.
Topaz -- Pablo Neruda's Fascination
by Margaret Burgon Klemp
Topaz is one of the gems most used by poets and writers. Pablo Neruda, the famous Chilean poet was fascinated by a lot of things. His curiosity and his enthusiasm for various collections are reflected at his modest home at Isla Negra, Chile which is situated just off the highway to Valparaiso, the seaside resort in the Andes. Besides his interest in antiques he had a love affair with topaz. He described it this way:

"Whenever you touch topaz, it touches you: it awakes
a gentle fire, like wine awakes in grapes. Still unborn,
clear wine seeks channels amidst the stone, demands
words, bestows its secret nourishment, shares out the kiss
of human skin: the touch of stone and man in serene peace
kindles garlands of fleeting flowers, which then return
to prime sources: flesh and stone: contrary elements." Pablo Neruda, El topacio

Topaz is full of mystery, in fact there is a famous movie mystery thriller named after it. The Topaz is well-known as a large quality gem. The worlds. largest topaz crystal was found in Brazil at the Minas Gerais, the world.s most well-known producer of topaz. It was purchased in 1938 by Allan Caplan, a New York dealer in minerals and precious gems. Upon his first inspection of the stone he thought there might be something wrong with it, and this particular stone along with two others were sent the American Museum for further study. What the experts found was the largest topaz known to that date. It is still housed at the museum. During the Middle Ages people believed that the use of topaz strengthened the mind and prevented sudden death. Some physicians of those times prescribed it as a remedy for weak vision. It was also used as a method of preventing mental disorders or curing these disorders altogether.
The topaz has superb qualities of color, clarity and hardness. Its. hardness allows it to be easily polished because it contains an innate smoothness. The smoothness and slipperiness of topaz is one of the ways it is identified along with the brilliancy of color. It comes in all different shades of yellow, blue, brown and rose reds. Most deep blue hues are produced artificially by heat and irridation. Citrine is sometimes mistaken for topaz. The more intense colors of topaz is what usually sets it apart from the lighter citrine colors. However, there is a test known as the "methylene iodide test" that can make a final determination. A stone is place in the solution, and a citrine gem will float while the topaz will sink to the bottom. While hardness is a definite prime attribute, topaz has a real disadvantage with its. basal cleavage. This makes the stone very sensitive to sharp blows so artisans and miners have to handle it very carefully.
Topaz can be found in streams, rivers and in gravel deposits. It is found mainly in gem pegmatites where the presence of fluorine can be found. Flourine provides a rich environment for the stones to grow into very large crystals. In fact, without the presence of Flourine topaz would not exist. Topaz crystallizes orthorhombically and develops columns with square and diamond shapes planes with multisurfaced heads. Topaz can also be found in cracks and cavities where a combination of Flourine and silica and alumina which was released by very hot temperatures caused the gems to form. Chromium Oxide is what provides its beautiful color.
Brazil is the undisputed leader in topaz production. Topaz can also be found in the Ural Mountains in Russia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the United States. At Minas Gerais they are normally mined from their primary rock or found on valley floors there. Topaz was actually first discovered in Poland in the Erz Mountains in an area called Schneckenstein.
Topaz is a very large stone. One giant gem at the Viennese Historical museum is reputed to weigh 585,000 carats. The rarest topaz is the Imperial Topaz and pink topaz. Pakistan is the only place today where rose-red tinted topaz can be found today. All other pink topazes get their color from heat treatments of up to 475º C. Imperial topaz is has a yellow tint to it while other members of the topaz family can be completely colorless. Some of the most beautiful examples of topaz are the famous blue topaz which can have colorful ranges starting with light blue stones. The very deep blue topaz is artificially produced by heating and irridation processes. One of the most interesting characteristics about topaz is that it bleaches in daylight and then renews itself as the light subsides. The color changes occur because of natural heating and irridation.
The largest deep red topaz in the world was found either in Brazil or Russia, and is considered highly unusual. Naturally red topaz is not very often found.

Tiger Eye Quartz

The Tiger Eye is a semi precious gemstone, usually a metamorphic rock with a yellow, honey, red and brown color, with a silky luster. The gemstone is well known for its 'Chatoyancy effect', where a thin band of light is displayed on the gemstone and changes position as the gemstone is positioned back and forth.

Tiger Eye Gemstone Information

What Causes Tiger Eye To Shimmer
The Tiger Eye gemstone is part of the quartz family. The gemstone is a classic example of pseudomorphous replacement through silica of fibrous blue mineral called crocidolite. The gemstone is formed when criocidolite crystals compact simultaneously from hot mineral fluids flowing through the rocks' tiny cracks. This then produces the 'Chatoyancy effect' the Tiger Eye gemstone is renowned for. The gemstone mostly comes from South Africa. Small quantities of the gemstone are also found in Brazil, China, Canada, USA, Burma and India.
Where Tiger Eye's Name Came From
The gemstone got its name, obviously, because it resembles the eye of a real tiger. Tiger Eye gemstone is usually used for ornamental purposes and jewelry, cut for rings, necklaces and charms. The gemstone is quite affordable yet very beautiful. It should be noted though that the gemstone can be made synthetically, mostly made from plastic and lower valued minerals. There is also a similar looking gemstone called the Tiger Iron, made from red Jasper and black Hermatite. There is a blue variant of this gemstone, appropriately called 'Hawk's eye'.
Friendship Stone
The Tiger Eye gemstone is popularly called the 'gemstone of friends' or the 'friendship stone'. If you have been given this special Friendship Stone, you should always treasure the gemstone like the friendship itself. The gemstone is a perfect symbol that your friend is out to overlook your protection at all times, and will be there for you even during the hardest of circumstances. The gemstone will provide you positive energy even on the most gloomy of days. It helps you find your way and attain your dreams. Regardless of age, sex, or beliefs, many people will benefit from the gemstone.
Lore
Historically, the gemstone has been worn for protection. It was said that the gemstone kept a constant 'eye' on the wearer. For thousands of years, the gemstone has been used for many uses, for it is believed to have many mystical and medicinal properties within it. Oftentimes, the gemstone was given to children to wear as a protectorate.
Fast tract to the 1880s, large quantities of the gemstone have been founding South African soil during the 1880s. Metaphysically, it is believed that the gemstone allows its wearer to think clearly and transform negative energy to positive energy. The gemstone is believed to attain dreams and help the wearer judge and determine the best decision and course of action. It is often cleansed before sending it to someone else, to get rid of all the negative energies.
Care
The gemstone is cleansed by keeping it in salt water over the night to recharge its energy. After taking it out of the salt water, it should be washed in fresh water and placed under the sun for about two to three hours. The process should be repeated for three months, the least. By cleansing it, the wearers will be able to find their inner light and strength. The gemstone should be protected at all times from blows and scratches, and always be kept in a safe place when not worn or used.

Tanzanite

What separates tanzanite from any other gemstones is the way in which it was discovered which is entirely unrelated to mysticism or other spiritual beliefs. There are claims that the Masai cattle herders were the individuals who discovered this gemstones after burning occurred from terrible lightning instances happened in Tanzania. However, there is also another discovery version that is more accurate.
Tanzanite Information

True Story On How Tanzanite Was Found
It was said that on the month of July of 1967, one of the local tribesman by the name of Ali Juuyawatu noticed an attractive bluish piece of translucent crystal in Mount Kilimanjaro and decided to take it with him. He then showed it to Manuel D. Souza, who is a tailor and is interested in knowing about rubies in that area. He incorrectly termed it as peridot at first look and then corrected himself upon realizing that his judgment was incorrect. Therefore, he took samples and termed it as "dumortierite" and classified it as a non-gem material.
D. Souza eventually consulted with John Saul, a geologist and wholesaler of gemstones who was in Mount Kenya at that time. Disputing the early claim of D. Souza, he forwarded the discovered crystal to Hyman Saul, who happened to be not only the vice president of Saks Fifth Avenue, but also his father. Upon receiving them, Hyman Saul went to Henry Platt of Tiffany and Company to show it whom coined the term tanzanite. Further experimentations and observation led to the conclusion that it originated from the raw mineral soizite and is highly valued due to its high trichroism property.
Further observation made way to the announcement of Tiffany and Company's marketing launch featuring tanzanite as its primary feature. This event marked the popularity of this gemstone which served as enough reason for the United States Gem Associations to award it as the birthstone for the month of December. These changes were made in 2002 updating the standard birthstone list from 1912.
Where Tanzanite Is Mined
By nature, this gemstone is very rare since it could be found only in the Merelani hills nearing Arusha and Moshi in Northern Tanzania which only extends up to four miles. Because of this, recent efforts are done in order to ensure the security of the Tanzanian cutting industry by having the exporting of unprocessed tanzanite banned. Not only did this help ensure inward flow of profits but also encouraged local production of gem stones.
Colors
Experts base the deep dark blue hue of the gemstone as a basis for grading its value. In order to produce different shades of blue, manufacturers utilize heat treatments. There are also some rare instances wherein a green tanzanite is available. Another development made in order to lessen the coarse property of this gems tone is to apply a certain coating on its surface.
It is therefore not surprising that the demand for this gem stone has been on the rise recently due to the very beautiful bluish sparkle that it has. Currently, the tanzanite is one of the most popular gemstones produces in South Africa and is having great fans from distant countries like Australia, China and India. The popularity of this gemstone has become so sudden and immense that it has even outsold diamond in many occasions.

Sapphire

Sapphire is September's birthstone and comes in every color except red (ruby). Blue is the most common color for sapphire gems. White sapphire is occassionally used as a diamond substitute. Sapphire tennis bracelets are beautiful and loved by many.
 
Sapphire: Regal and Quiet
by Margaret Burgon Klemp
There is more than one way to become a legend. It cousin, the ruby, is well-known because of its' brilliant red color, and because man decided to equate it with their emotions as a symbol of love. But, there is more than one way to become a legend. History is full of legends that were quiet and less bombastic than some of their contemporaries. This is true of gemstones. The sapphire is legendary not because it appeals emotions, but it has an appeal that requires deeper meaning and understanding. It is quiet, it is calm. But its' effect is long lasting. Perhaps that is one reason why it is described in the book of Exodus in the Bible this way. "And they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness." (Exodus 24: 9-10)
Marbode of Rennes (1035-1123) said in his writings:

Sapphire has an appearance
Similar to the heavenly throne;
It depicts the heart of simple men
Waiting with sure hope,
In whose life and ways
The highest is pleased.

Marbode was the Bishop of Rennes in France, and an avid researcher. He composed the earliest and most influential medieval lapidary which described in detail the attributes of sixty different stones. In addition to being an expert on various gemstones he composed hymns, and was a well respected leader and advisor in the Catholic Church. The sapphire has traditionally been involved in the area of religious magic, and it was believed that the owner of the stone could use it to harness psychic powers. It was, and still is, the choice of high church officials and regents especially when their rings are mounted. There are several language origins for the word "sapphire." In Sanskrit it was known as "sauriratna" in honor of the planet Saturn. Ancient Chaldean references called it "sampir," while the Greeks had a modern translation, "sappheiros" which denoted the color blue. The Arabic translation was "safir" and the Latin texts call it "saphirus."
The sapphire does share a lot in common with its' ruby relative, but there are some differences. First of all, the sapphire is must more widespread and more accessible. This is because sapphires originate in the earth's upper crust. The second difference is that it is blue and some natural processes have to occur that are a little different from rubies for a change in color. In some cases, however, early natural metamorphisms are identical to the ruby. They both come from the family of corundums, and share the same attributes of light refraction, density and hardness. Both stones are derived from the same chemical crystallization of alumina.
The sapphire comes in all shades of blue. The most sought after shade is Cornflower Blue Sapphire, the finest of all the sapphires. It is a gleaming blue gem with a touch of purple in it. The Royal Blue variety is velvety and the cobalt in it lets the viewer wonder how deep it really is. Marine Blue sapphires carry the color and dramatic tones of the oceans. Sapphires come in all different shades of blue. Titanium and Iron show up more in the rocks where sapphires are formed, however, they are formed differently all over the world.
In Kashmir sapphires are formed in pegmatites which are veins made up of pegmatite. In the pegmatite formations that are the feeding ground for Kashmir sapphires there is an abundance of aluminum and boron. In the rock surrounding the formation there is iron and titanium present.
In Australia, Cambodia and Thailand sapphires have developed over millions of years from rich deposits of molten carbonatite that has a lot of aluminum mixed with it. At first they were situated deep in the earth's crust where there was a presence of high pressure and extremely high temperatures. It was basalt volcanic activity that propelled them to the surface along with other minerals, and finally they were laid to rest on the valley floors.
In other parts of the world sapphires may have come from ancient formations that were once impure marble which developed over time through metamorphic conditions into crystalline cal silicates known as skarns. A skarn is a metamorphic rock that is usually variably colored green or red, occasionally grey, black, brown or white. It usually forms by chemical processes that form rocks during metamorphism and in the contact zone of magma like intrusions. Skarns in the igneous environment are associated with marble and wider zones of cal silicate rocks. Mixtures of corundum, titanium and iron were also a part of the crystallization process. Because of this process there are numerous inclusions in a sapphire, and like the ruby, they are useful in verification techniques when authenticating the stone.
Sapphires do twinkle. This is caused by the smaller, microscopic stones inside the primary gem that were created at the same time. This twinkling phenomenon is known as "silk" referring to its silky and silvery qualities. It appears as a star that seems to be imposed over a silk like background.
Some of the most important occurrences of sapphires can be found in Sri Lanka, but sometimes access to them is difficult. Pit and river mining are the most used techniques in Sri Lanka, but is impeded because the country resists modernization. Other areas where sapphires can be found are Tanzania, Australia, Madagascar, and Montana (USA).
Honored as the stone of fidelity and chastity, some say it is a sign of peace and friendship, while ancient Romans and Egyptians felt it was a holy stone of truth and justice. Innocent III, during his time as Pope said that every Cardinal and Bishop should wear a sapphire ring on the right hand to be used when they were giving blessings.
The sapphire: legendary, quiet and regal.
References:
Gems: A Lively Guide for the Casual Collector, by Daniel J. Dennis Jr., Henry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York, New York
Gemstones: Symbols of Beauty and Power, by Eduard Gubelin and Franz-Xaver Erni, Geoscience Press, Tucson, Arizona
Gems in Myth, Legend and Lore, by Bruce G. Knuth, Jewelers Press, Thornton, ColoradO