Category:Topaz

To"paz, n. Etym: [oe. topas, f. topaze, l. topazos, or topazion, a Kind of precious stone, gr. to`pazos, topa`zion; possibly akin to Skr. tap to glow (cf. Tepid). According to some, the name is from Topazos, a small island in the red sea, where the romans obtained a Stone which they called by this name, but which is the chrysolite of The moderns.]

1. (min.)

Defn: a mineral occurring in rhombic prisms, generally yellowish and Pellucid, also colorless, and of greenesh, bluish, or brownish Shades. It sometimes occurs massive and opaque. It is a fluosilicate Of alumina, and is used as a gem.

2. (zoöl.)

Defn: either one of two species of large, brilliantly colored humming Birds of the topaza, of south america and the west indies.

Note: the two tail feathers next to the central ones are much longer That the rest, curved, and crossed. The throat is metallic yellowish- Green, with a tint like topaz in the center, the belly is bright Crimson, the back bright red. Called also topaz hummer. False topaz. (min.) See the note under quartz.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Topaz - Heb. pitdah (Ezekiel 28:13; Revelation 21:20), a golden yellow or "green" stone brought from Cush or Ethiopia (Job 28:19). It was the second stone in the first row in the breastplate of the high priest, and had the name of Simeon inscribed on it (Exodus 28:17). It is probably the chrysolite of the moderns.