Topaz

Happy November, it's time for Topaz! 

Of our gemstones, Topaz probably has the widest range of colors it's found in naturally - browns, golds, blues, pinks, purple, even colorless. Topaz is also pleochroic, meaning that the gem can show different colors in different crystal directions.

Most etymology of the word "topaz" seems to refer to the mineral topaz itself, but there is the potential origin of from the Sanskrit word तपस् "tapas", meaning "heat" or "fire". In the Middle Ages, topaz referred to any yellow stone, but in modern times, it only refers to the specific silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine.

There was an English superstition that claimed that topaz cured lunacy, and  ancient Romans believed that topaz provided protection from danger while traveling. During the Middle Ages, attaching the topaz to the left arm was thought protect the owner from any curse and warded off the evil eye. Wearing topaz was also believed to increase body heat, which would enable people to relieve a cold or fever. Middle Age Europe, it was thought that topaz could enhance mental powers.

Orange topaz specifically is the conventional birthstone for November. It is also the symbol of friendship and the state gemstone of the state of Utah, and blue topaz is the state gemstone of the state of Texas. Blue topaz is the gem of the 4th anniversary and Imperial topaz is the gem of the 23rd anniversary.

Our Topaz yarn definitely sits in the weird middle zone of yellow, orange, brown, and gold. It is a tonal with a lot of dimension that is honestly probably best viewed in person (but you can also check out our gemstone highlight on our Instagram to see it with other colors!)

Our recommended pairings are Scorpio and Sagittarius (naturally), Pumpkin Spice Latte, Longaberger Picnic Basket, Garnet, Irish Cream Cold Foam, Samhain... it fits in really well with a fall palette and a lot of our tonals, honestly. 

BASES:

Chester Sock Mini Skein: 20g, 87 yards, 75% super wash merino/25% nylon
Hattie Floof: 50g, 459 yards, 72% mohair/28% silk (lace weight)
Chester Sock: 100g, 437 yards, blend of 75% superwash merino/25% nylon
Gladys Shawl: 100g, 438 yards, single ply blend of 70% superwash merino/30% silk
Adelaide MCN: 100g, 437 yards, 80% super wash fine merino/10% cashmere/10% nylon
Tortie Sport: 100g, 287 yards, 80% alpaca/20% silk
Minnie DK: 100g, 246 yards, 100% superwash merino wool 
Genny Worsted: 100g, 191 yards, 80% superwash merino/20% alpaca
Chubby Trevor: 115g, 136 yards, 100% superwash merino
Chunky Trevor: 100g, 76 yards, 80% superwash merino/20% nylon, single ply
Summer Fingering: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 438 yards
Summer DK: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 246 yards
Summer Worsted: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 181 yards
Piper Fiber: 85% Polwarth Wool/15% Tussah Silk, approximately 4oz braid of fiber for spinning, felting, etc