Topaz, Blue
Blue Topaz carries all the attributes of Topaz, including providing emotional support, repelling negativity, and cultivating the knowledge that “all is as it should be”. Blue Topaz can enhance relaxation and has been used as a protective amulet against psychic attacks and household accidents. Blue Topaz is also a great meditation aid, allowing for wisdom from the higher mind to be assimilated by physical self. The vibrant energy of Blue Topaz makes is an excellent companion when one needs to see their place in the universe and to understand the big picture regarding a particular issue.
Blue Topaz is related to the Thymus (Second Heart), Throat and Third-Eye chakras, and helps to attune to higher realms. Blue Topaz aids in the expression of thoughts and feelings. In addition, Blue Topaz is said to help you recognize your own truth, so you can see if you are indeed on your true path. If you discover that you are off your purpose, Blue Topaz will gently remind you to forgive and let go, allowing you to joyfully re-emerge on your path with new found focus.
Physically, Blue Topaz aids in tissue regrowth. It eases throat/eye/ear problems, and helps to alleviate menopausal symptoms, especially hot flashes.
Blue Topaz is the perfect companion for pocket, crystal pouch or medicine bag.
Treatments
The popular icy pastel blue color is created by exposing colorless topaz to irradiation and then heat. Lighter colors are created by electrons and the darker blue known as London blue is created by exposure to neutrons. The process can take minutes or years, as high-energy processes require that the topaz is stored before it can be released safely. The most common blue topazes produced by radiation are:
* Sky Blue Topaz - which is a moderately strong light blue topaz resulting from treating colorless topaz with gamma rays from Cobalt 60 or electrons by electron accelerators. The treatment is then followed by heat treatment.
* London Blue Topaz - this slightly grayish medium dark to dark blue topaz results from treating colorless topaz with neutrons produced in nuclear reactors. This process is also followed by heat treatment.
* Swiss Blue Topaz - is a vivid medium, to medium dark blue topaz produced by combining neutron treatment with electron treatment, followed by heat treatment.
After the electron beam treatment, the heat treatment is carried out at 200 C for many hours. This produces strong blue colors. After neutron irradiation, topaz needs a cool off time as it becomes radioactive.
The common yellow topaz, when irradiated converts to pink topaz. Typically, yellow topaz ranges from wine to straw-colored, and heat-treated yellow topaz turns reddish-pink. Heating is one of the most common treatments for topaz. The process can cause the gemstone to change completely, or either lighten or darken. Heat-treated topazes are widely available in blues and pinks.
These Topaz treatments are safe, permanent and irreversible.
Mythology
The origin of the name "Topaz" is supposed to be the Sanskrit word for fire - tapas - possibly because of its fiery orange yellow color. According to another theory, it got it name from the Red Sea's Island of Topazos, where the Romans found a stone, which they called 'Topaz', but which later was found to be Peridot.
Perhaps the most famous topaz is a giant specimen set in the Portuguese Crown, the Braganza, which was first thought to be a diamond. There is also a beautiful topaz set in the Green Vault in Dresden, one of the world's important gem collections.
During the Middle Ages topaz was thought to strengthen the mind and prevent mental disorders as well as sudden death.
The Egyptians said that topaz was colored with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. This made topaz a very powerful amulet that protected the faithful against harm. The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun.
Topaz has also been biblically referenced as one of the gemstones used to make the 'Breastplate of Judgement' worn by Aaron.
It has been considered a "cooling" gem, much like ruby is considered a "hot" gem. Topaz was thought to have the ability to quickly cool boiling water and flaring tempers.
Wear topaz only if you wish to be clear-sighted: legend has it that it dispels all enchantment and helps to improve eyesight as well.
The ancient Greeks believed that it had the power to increase strength and make its wearer invisible in times of emergency.
Europeans believed topaz had magical powers that brought good luck.
Topaz was also said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink.
Its mystical curative powers waxed and waned with the phases of the moon: it was said to cure insomnia, asthma, and hemorrhages.
In 1969, blue topaz was named the state gem of Texas to celebrate a small deposit of natural pale blue topaz that was found in the state.
Physical and Metaphysical Properties for
PROPERTIES FOR STONE: Blue Topaz
PRIMARY CHAKRA: Throat-Chakra
CRYSTAL SYSTEM: Orthorhombic-Crystal-System
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: Al 2 SiO 4 (F,OH) 3,Aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Sagittarius-(November-22-to-December-21), Virgo-(August-23-to-September-22)
NUMERICAL VIBRATION: Number-1
HARDNESS: 8-Hardness
COLOR: Blue, Sky-Blue-(light-blue)
LOCATION: Brazil, Mexico, Namibia, Pakistan, Russia
RARITY: Common
PRONUNCIATION: bloo TOE-paz
MINERAL CLASS: Silicates-Mineral-Class
ISSUES AND AILMENTS (PHYSICAL): Ear-Infections-and-Pain, Eye-Disorders-and-Infections, Hot-Flashes, Menopause, Throat
ISSUES AND AILMENTS (EMOTIONAL): Abundance-and-Prosperity, Communication-and-Expression, Dispel-or-Release-Negativity
ISSUES AND AILMENTS (SPIRITUAL): Intention, Meditation
EXTRA GRADE: Nice blue, translucent, 10-25% Matrix
A GRADE: Nice blue, 25-50% Matrix
B GRADE: Poor color, 50-75% Matrix
AFFIRMATION: I am content in the knowledge that I am protected by the Universe.
QUESTION: Do you use any crystals to deepen or aid meditation?
REFERENCE 1: http://www.healingcrystals.com/Crystal_of_the_Week_-_Blue_Topaz_Articles_1732.html