Topaz Official State Gem of Texas and Utah . Courtesy The Image . T opaz is thought to have been named for the island of Topazios, or Topazion, in the Red Sea. Topaz is next in hardness to carborundum and diamonds. Topaz occurs in many colors, including orange, red, pink, beige, and green.
Some topaz is colorless.
Because of its great beauty and hardness, topaz has been used as jewelry and amulets for thousands of years. Today, it is famed as the birthstone for the month of November. Topaz is also the official state gem of Texas and Utah. Utah T opaz became Utah's official state gem on February 4, 1969. The semiprecious gem is found in Beaver, Juab, and Tooele counties.