The seventh Foundation Stone of New Jerusalem.

Topaz comes from the Greek word ‘topazion’, named for the island Topazios, located in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt, from which ‘topazion’ was mined. The gemstone which was mined on this island was actually the peridot (chrysolite) of today. Thus the term ‘topaz’ in the Bible actually refers to the peridot (chrysolite). Also when Elder Pliny (AD 23-69) describes the chrysolite (Greek ‘chrusolithos’), he describes today’s topaz. The term ‘chrusolithos’ literally means ‘gold stone’, and very likely refers to the yellow topaz of today. Today, topaz is found mostly in Brazil and Sri Lanka, with some pink topaz mined in Russia and Pakistan. Topaz, often blue, sometimes has the amber gold of fine cognac or the blush of a peach and all the beautiful warm browns and oranges in between. Some rare and exceptional topazes are pale pink to a sherry red. It may also be colorless.

Ancient Egyptians said topaz was colored with the glow from Ra, the sun god, and they used it as a good luck charm to protect against harm, and the Romans also associated topaz with Jupiter, their god of the sun. The Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight. Topaz was believed by many to hold other magical powers, to improve eyesight, improve asthma and cure insomnia. Topaz was also said to change color in the presence of poisoned food or drink. During the Middle Ages topaz was thought to heal both physical and mental disorders and prevent death.

One of the earliest writers to associate with the apostles the symbolism of the gems given in Revelations is by Andreas, bishop of Caesurae. He gives a brief description of the stones, which is recounted in George F. Kunz's book ‘The Curious Lore of Precious Stones’ (1913). The ‘chrysolite’, gleaming with the splendor of gold, symbolizes Bartholomew.