topaz

Where does the word "topaz" come from? It comes from Greek topazion, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Topaz’s story begins in Greek: topazion meant “a yellow gemstone.” Possibly named for an island in the Red Sea where a yellow stone was mined. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as topaze. Carried through Latin into French gemstone vocabulary. It reached English by 1300s as topaz. Settled as the English word for the golden-yellow gemstone. Today, topaz means a precious gemstone, typically yellow or golden brown.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient topazion "a yellow gemstone", possibly named for an island in the Red Sea where a yellow stone was mined.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval topaze "a yellow precious gemstone", carried through Latin into French gemstone vocabulary.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s topaz "a golden-yellow precious gemstone", settled as the English word for the golden-yellow gemstone.