Gem Lore:
Topaz - has been linked with the ancient Greek word ‘Topazions’, which was an island in the Red Sea. The island is currently referred to as ‘Zabargad’ in Egypt (and can further be translated to St John’s Island in english). Coincidentally, the island mined many yellow and green gemstones and incorrectly referred to them as Topaz. Alternatively, the name is thought to derive from the Sanskrit word ‘tapaz’, which translates to ‘fire’. The Egyptians believed that their Sun God Ra, provided the stones golden colour and protected the wearer from harm. Topaz naturally comes in white, yellow, brown and with the aid of treatment, pink and blue. Blue topaz possess a range of shades from: pale 'Sky Blue', to moderate 'Swiss Blue' and vividly saturated 'London Blue’. The most prized variety exhibits an orange body colour with pinkish red overtones and is known as imperial topaz.
Currently, there are no standard bespoke alterations, available for this item. However, if you have a question regarding an alteration you wish to make to the item, please let us know. You can either fill out the enquiry form below, or contact us directly. We will see if we can help to make any provisions for your request, or advise you further.
Jewellery Care Precautions:
Avoid direct contact with: perfume, lotions, skincare, hairspray / other chemicals. Remove, your jewellery: when showering, swimming (as both chlorine and saltwater will react with metals), washing your hands / using hand sanitisers, before going to bed or when participating in physical activities (going to the gym, exercising, gardening, housework etc….).
Beware, metals may tarnish over time due to oxygen contact and natural body oils. Prevent items from being exposed to moisture and direct sunlight, for long periods. Store jewellery in a dry place away from humidity, in a pouch/jewellery box and keep each piece separated from each other. Care, for your jewellery by cleaning with a soft dry cloth.
White Gold:
White gold is not an element and does not occur naturally in a pure form. Pure yellow gold is mixed with alloys of white metals (such as palladium) to produce, a silver coloured alloy, known as white gold. It is further coated in a precious metal called rhodium (an element that derives from the same metal family as platinum), to increase its lustrous sheen and protect it from tarnishing and scratching.
Over time with exposure to oxygen and moisture, the rhodium coating will naturally wear and you will begin to see the natural yellow colour of gold. Rings will experience this more than other types of jewellery. The general guide for re-applying rhodium coating to your rings is between 1-2 years. However, the rate of wear depends on the pH level of your skin, exposure and contact to chemicals. For professional cleaning and rhodium coating, our workshop will provide the TLC your jewellery needs.
Topaz:
Hardness: 8 | Toughness: Fair | Stability: Good
Extreme Caution, Avoid: Sudden Impact (pressure, knocks), Extreme Temperature Change (thermal shock), Jewellery Cleaners (ultrasonic, steam cleaners).
Mild Caution, Avoid: Light.
Gemmological Observation: Avoid leaving for long periods in strong light, as in some cases the colour may fade. Avoid any rough handling that can cause abrasions. Topaz has a low toughness, as it possess moderately easy cleavage, which means that the stone can fracture if it experiences a sharp knock.
