Natural Topazs Overview
 Topaz is a hard mineral cut as faceted gems and as brilliant cut, mixed cut and pendeloque. It occurs in a range of different colors: deep golden yellow topaz (sometimes called sherry topaz) and pink topaz are the most valuable; blue and green stones are also popular. Natural pink stones are rare - most pink topaz is heat-treated yellow material.
Some topaz has tear-shaped cavities, containing a gas bubble or several immiscible liquids. Other inclusions such as cracks, streaks, and veils also occur. Prismatic topaz crystals have a characteristic lozenge-shaped cross-section and striations parallel to their length.
Sometimes the term topaz is misnomered such as 'Oriental Topaz', which is a yellow sapphire. 'False Topaz' is a yellow quartz, when heated or citrine, also 'Spanish Topaz' or 'Scotch Topaz' or 'Brazilian Topaz' is a citrine.
By heat treatment reddish-brown topaz turns its color to pink and by irradiation and heat treatment colorless topaz change its color to deep blue, which is called 'Swiss Blue Topaz', 'London Blue Topaz' and 'Electra Blue Topaz'. 'Ocean Green Topaz' is an irradiated topaz in a nuclear reactor, which turns its color to green.
Physical Properties
| Color |
colorless, blue, yellow, gray, white, greenish, pinkish, red |
| Refractive Index |
1.61-1.63 |
| Pleochroism |
Strong pleochroism in pink heated stone, in brown. |
| Chemistry |
Al2SiO4(F,OH) |
| Hardness |
8.0 |
| Density |
3.50-3.57 |
| Crystal Group |
Orthorhombic |
| Ocurrence |
Africa, Asia, Mexico, Russia, South America, United States |
Legend and Lore
Because of its wide availability Topaz has been one of the most prevalent gemstones throughout history.
It is believed to prevent colds and tuberculosis because it can activate the lungs, and has similar qualities to amber. Topaz means 'fire' in Hindu. It brings light to life, relieves stress and protects against danger. It believes that if to put a topaz under the pillow at night it will soothe the nerves and energies the body during sleep.
Browse Topazs
The pictures above only represents the general appearance of the Topaz. Please note that the real Topazs in our stock will be of varied shapes, color and sizes.
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