The Rich History of Topaz & Citrine
Topaz has a long and illustrious history dating back thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians believed that topaz received its golden color from the sun god Ra, while the ancient Greeks associated the gem with strength and power. The name "topaz" may have derived from the Sanskrit word "tapas," meaning fire, or from Topazios, an island in the Red Sea where yellow stones (now known to be peridot) were once mined.
Throughout the Middle Ages, topaz was believed to have remarkable healing properties and was used to treat physical and mental disorders. European royalty particularly favored topaz, with many famous specimens appearing in royal collections. The Braganza Diamond, a 1,680-carat stone in the Portuguese Crown Jewels, was long thought to be a diamond but was later identified as colorless topaz.
Citrine has a more modest historical presence, often being confused with topaz until the development of modern gemology. The ancient Romans used citrine for beautiful intaglio work, particularly in men's signet rings. During the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s, citrine experienced a surge in popularity, especially when paired with other colorful gemstones like amethyst, peridot, and aquamarine in elaborate jewelry pieces.
In the Victorian era, Scottish jewelry makers frequently used citrine, as it was found in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland and became known as "Cairngorm quartz" in that region. Queen Victoria's fondness for Scottish jewelry helped popularize citrine throughout the British Empire. Today, both topaz and citrine continue to be popular gemstones, with blue topaz (usually enhanced through irradiation and heat treatment) being one of the most widely sold colored gemstones in the market.
