The history of blue topaz dates back thousands of years, to a time when its beauty was greatly admired and it was thought to possess magical powers. The ancient Greeks acknowledged that blue topaz could increase intelligence and power, while the Egyptians acknowledged that it could protect their pharaohs from harm. It is acknowledged that the word "topaz" originated on the island of Topazos in the Red Ocean, where it was initially discovered. However, it is unclear if the stone that was mentioned as topaz in the past is the same stone that is known as blue topaz now. During the Middle Ages, blue topaz was acknowledged for its potential to heal many diseases, from sleep deprivation to asthma.