TOPAZ: Gems' Fall Color

Left to right: Pale Citrine, Darker Citrine, Madeira Citrine and Imperial Topaz

Dear Jewelry's Allure Reader,

Try to remember a late afternoon drive in the autumn countryside where the colors above appear to be autumn leaves whizzing by as you gaze out the car window. Yet, unlike the leaves, the colors you’re looking at are not dry and won’t blow away at the first sign of a northerly wind. They are colors of a durable autumn, an autumn made of gems.

Are yellow "autumn gems" considered topazes or are they citrines? This confusion of names goes back to ancient history. In the olden days all red stones were called ruby, all blue stones sapphire and all yellow stones topaz. In gem folklore and healing it’s said that topazes worn around the neck would calm emotions and if worn as a ring topaz would protect the wearer from an untimely death.

For accuracy though, citrines belong to the quartz family of gemstones and are called citrine from the French word “citron” meaning lemon. They range from pale yellow, to a reddish “fire” orange color called Madeira for the color of wine. The reddish "fire" orange shade of the Madeira citrine rivals the topaz which is why citrine is now listed along with the topaz as a birthstone for November.

The true imperial or precious topaz, is sherry-brown in color and comes from Brazil. The root of the word topaz is derived from the old Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire. You can see fire in the exquisite flash of peach emanating from the reddish orange color of the imperial topaz. The blue topaz is abundant, affordable and fashionable. It rivals the aquamarine in color for a fraction of the cost which has contributed to its popularity.

In the light, look closely at your citrines and topazes. Move them slightly to see the different colors reflecting within the stone. Look for the Madeira citrine's fire. Catch the flash of peach in the imperial topaz. When it comes to wearing these autumn gems the blue topaz sky's the limit! Mix and match. Honey colored cabochon citrine with white keshi pearls. Blue topaz with peridot and citrine. Smoky quartz with turquoise and gold or brown pearl and pink topaz. All this sparkle and play of color can take your breath away. A connection with gem's beauty will always lift your spirits. Isn't that part of the allure of jewelry?

Linda Vail

For Jewelry's Allure

November’s Calendar

Exhibits at the GIA Museum. “Reflections in Stone” showcasing gem carver Bernd Munsteiner’s work from 1966-2003. Now through March 2008, with reservations. museum@gia.edu

Gemstone Treasures from Namibia. The diversity and majesty of Namibia’s gems is presented in a special exhibit at the Deutschen Edelsteinmuseum in Idar-Oberstein until December 2, 2007
www.edelsteinmuseum.de/edelsteine_Namibia.htm.

Wine and gems in Dijon. "Colour Sparkles: Legendary Wines and Gemstones," a unique exhibition of fine gems and fine wines, will be held in the Sciences Garden at the Parc de l’Arquebuse, Dijon, France, through December 9, 2007. Visit www.dijon.fr/fiche/eclats-de-couleurspierres-et-vins-de-legende.evt.5604.php.

Jewelry of Ben Nighthorse. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 1992–2004, has enjoyed a successful second career as an innovative jewelry designer. This collection of his work, which debuted at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian in 2004, is on display at the Colorado History Museum in Denver through December 31, 2007. Visit http://www.coloradohistory.org/

© Copyright 2007 The Vail Group