December Birthstone 
The Blue Topaz

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December’s official birthstone, according to the American National Association of Jewelers, is the Blue Topaz. This beautiful blue gemstone is also the traditional gemstone for a couple’s fourth wedding anniversary. The blue topaz has also been the official gemstone of the State of Texas since 1969 and is a worldwide favorite because of its lovely blue hues and its clear quality.

The topaz gems are not always blue in color, though. Topaz is naturally found in shades of red, orange, pink, beige, brown and green. This versatile stone actually isn't often found in a natural blue color! In fact, natural blue topaz is quite rare. Typically clear topaz gems are treated with radiation and then heated to get that gorgeous blue color.

The Blue Topaz is one of the more popular stones in the United States. Even though blue topaz is the most popular color, many people immediately picture a yellow-orange gem when they hear the word topaz. If fact, the yellow topaz is the alternate birthtone for Novemeber.

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Topaz comes from the Greek word meaning “to shine” and the Greeks associated the topaz with strength. Many people also associate the word with fire as well. The Ancient Egyptians used the topaz to represent their sun god, Ra. The orange, red and pink topaz gemstones are the rarest and most expensive.

The topaz gemstone is most commonly found in South America’s country of Brazil and it is found in Nigeria as well as Sri Lanka. The topaz is in great demand today but it has always been a very popular gemstone throughout civilized history.

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The popularity of the December birthstone may be attributed to the curative elements that the gem is thought to have. Some believe that the topaz can lessen the symptoms of insomnia, giving way to the wear’s peaceful night’s sleep. The gem is thought to have a calming effect, particularly the blue topaz since blue is a color associated with calm. Other health benefits that are attributed to the gemstone include relief from asthma and protection from sudden death. Some believe that the topaz can restore a person’s sanity.

Fanciful qualities that the topaz is thought to possess include the stone’s ability to make the wearer invisible when there is trouble, which sounds more like something out of  The Hobbit series than a description of the quality of a gemstone. Another fanciful attribute given to the stone is its supposed ability to warn the wearer of danger. The topaz is thought to change color in the presence of poison.

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While these attributes to the topaz are a little far fetched the quality and the appeal of the topaz gemstone, especially the blue topaz, are not debatable. This popular gemstone will remain a favorite for people even people who don’t have December birthdays and who don’t live in Texas. The blue topaz is for everyone.