With the leaves changing into fire colors in the Northern Hemisphere during November it only seems fitting that this month's birthstones also come, most commonly, in colors of brown, gold, red and orange. Let's talk about topaz first.

From the Middle Ages backward, 'topaz' was usually used to refer to any yellow stone (its believed, for instance, that the 'topaz' referred to on the high priest's breastplate in the Old Testament was probably a citrine). However, modern scientific distinctions believe that most references to topaz in older historic texts were actually either peridot, citrine (November's other birthstone) or chrysoberyl. True topaz is a much heavier stone than any of these, surprisingly heavy for a stone of its chemical makeup in fact. In its natural form, most topaz is actually a clear stone. Its variety of colors come from either heat or additional minerals while it was forming. 'In the wild' topaz can be found in colors that range from red to pink to grey to various shades of brown as well as yellow or even violet. Blue topaz is rare as well and often very pale with heat (or radiation) being used to darken its color. 'Mystic topaz' is topaz that has been heat treated and then painted with a coat of metallic oxide to give it an iridescent look. Pink topaz is called imperial topaz. November uses the orange topaz, known as the precious topaz, as its birth stone of choice.

Topaz deposits can found on every single continent, with Brazil being the largest exporter of the stone. The largest topaz every found comes from the Minas Gerais mine in Brazil in fact, a boulder sized topaz that weighted 596 pounds (271 kilos). Topaz is also one of the hardest stones, coming in at 8 on the Mohs hardness scale (a diamond is a 10 on the scale), yet, because of its atomic bonding structure if hit at just the right angle it can splinter.

Being around as long as it has, there are a lot of superstitions that surround topaz. In ancient Rome, the topaz protected travels on the road. In ancient Greece, wearing a topaz was supposed to grant you strength while in India, a topaz worn over the heart granted long life, beauty and intelligence. Wearing topaz on your left arm in Medieval Europe was a good way to turn away the evil eye and other curses. It was also medicinal, believed to increase body heat against fevers and colds. During the Renaissance, topaz was useful for controlling anger and dispelling evil magic spells. In England, the topaz was said to help cure madness. It is associated with love, wealth (its golden color can attract gold, especially if the stone is set in gold) and health. It is supposed to aid in digestion and weight loss as well as arthritis. It is supposed to help attract love. Saint Hildegard recommended soaking topaz in wine for three days and nights and then rubbing it on the eyes to improve sight. It can also supposedly make its wearer invisible. Keeping a topaz stone under your pillow is said to help keep nightmares away. Its said to help cure sleepwalking. It can, thanks to its golden color, also be associated with the sun and fire. A blue topaz is the wedding anniversary gift for the fourth anniversary and the imperial topaz for the twenty-third.

The 1740, Braganza Diamond of Portugal was so clear and bright it was believed to be a diamond. It is, in fact, a topaz.

Doodles for today! Braganza Men.. but make it Trese.

Do you have opinions on the Serene House of Bragança (or Braganza) Do you wish to join the Brigantine Dynasty as it streches from East Timor to Brazil. Do you wish to eat Caldo Verde in a hot day in Portugal. Do you enjoy seeing drama, plotting, consorts more interesting than their Bragança husbands and the glory that is coming to Brazil? If so this defunct house of rulers that has had claimants and candidates to the thrones of Greece and Poland, as well as Monarchs of Portugal and royal consorts that have provided Monarchs such as Ferdinand of Romania? Dilettantes including the Infante Manuel de Bragança? and of course the Glorious Kings of Portugal and the Emperors of Brazil? If so, come to Brazil Join the tournament to discover the best Bragança!

Listen we may not be as dramatic as the Habsburgs or the Bourbons, but in terms of drama, we are the little house that could (so much drama (the War of the Brothers, the scheming of Carlota Joaquina, João V and his strong love of the catholic church)

Rules:

Who will be included in your lists? Much like notable brackets of Central Europe, we will include unconventional figures who may technically be considered members of other dynasties including *sighs*...at least a few Hohenzollerns (But unlike the @best-hohenzollern-ruler bracket, these will be ROMANIAN HOHENZOLLERNS; which is better).

We will also include the consorts from other royal families whose ambitions, intellect, and force of will may have outshone their admittedly mediocre Bragança spouses (Carlota Joaquina of the Bourbons is fascinating as is Maria Leopoldina of Austria)

Is propaganda encouraged?

Absolutely, as Lilia Schwarcz shows for Pedro II of Brazil, propaganda and pageantry are essential for the construction of the Bragança dynasty and monarchy! As such, It is also essential for this bracket!

Why is everyone a Pedro or João?

Hey, those are perfectly good names....but we also have two Marias who reigned in their own right (Actually, a lot more Marias in this bracket!) We also have some Afonsos

What regnal numbers will you be using?

Honestly, we will be using the Portuguese regnal numbers up until Pedro II of Brazil, who will have emperor in his title to distinguish him (Pedro I of Brazil/ IV of Portugal will have both)/ We will also include a few dukes.

Which language will you be using for the names?

Portuguese....do you really want to deal with a bunch of Johns and Peters?

How would you like it if, say a Habsburg Bracket, called Franz Joseph

Francisco José? It would be weird.

What is your relation to @best-hohenzollern-ruler, @best-habsburg-monarch, and the @best-bourbon-monarch?