Topaz is one of the most popular gemstones available. It comes in a large variety of attractive colors; it can be cut in many different shapes and comes in sizes that are less than a carat or large masses that can compliment any large jewelry piece.
Topaz comes in a wide variety of colors; however, the most popular color is blue. Blue Topaz is known to be the most popular of all the gemstones commercially sold in multi-carat sizes. Due to its beautiful color and affordable price, Blue Topaz is always in demand. Another popular Topaz color is yellow. Yellow Topaz is very affordable and it is sometimes sold as a substitute for Citrine. There is also rare colored Topaz, they include red and lavender. Naturally red or lavender Topaz is very expensive, especially when compared to blue or yellow.
Topaz is cut into a multitude of shapes and can be set for rings, bracelets, charms, earrings, and brooches. Because large sizes of this stone are affordable and available, this stone can be used to create almost any type of fine jewelry piece.
What is Topaz used for?
Topaz is an extremely attractive gemstone. It comes in many different colors and can be cut into an infinite amount of shapes. Topaz can be found in large masses and can be used as large carats or cut into sizes that are less than a carat in weight.
Topaz is primarily used for ornamental jewelry and while it is a gemstone onto itself, many times others will mistake it or call it by another gemstone’s name with similar qualities. Topaz is made from aluminum, fluoride, and silicon. It is scientifically a fluorosilicate and comes in a host of many different colors, usually due to slight amount of trace elements present. It should be noted that Topaz gets its color from color centers within the mineral.
When using Topaz for jewelry, it should be known that you should not expose your Topaz gemstones to intense heat or to ultrasonic waves. Intense heat even consisting of sunlight in rare cases can dissipate the color. Ultrasonic waves can crack the topaz, due to the sometimes-brittle nature of this mineral.
How and where is Topaz found and formed?
Topaz is a wonderful gemstone that is extremely popular and found in many regions around the world. Topaz has been known to man for millennia and the name Topaz was generally used for any stone that was yellow in color.
Topaz is a type of fluorosilicate. It is created from many elements including aluminum, fluoride, silicon, and oxygen. Besides these elements, it also can include trace elements that can help create or enhance the color of the Topaz. Topaz is found usually near silica rocks that are volcanic in origin. It is also found in volcanic cavities and in pegmatites.
Topaz is pretty hard and scores an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale.
Topaz sold commercially is usually enhanced by heating or radiating the color centers. Usually blue is the most enhanced and certain Topaz gemstones are known to fade due to intense heat or even sunlight.
Topaz is available in many regions and is specifically mined in Brazil, Mexico, Africa, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. However, some colors are usually mined at specific locations. For instance, blue from Brazil, pink from Sri Lanka, and yellow from Germany.
The history and origin of Topaz
The name Topaz was first given by the Greeks (called topazos), which meant any yellow stone. Unfortunately, this custom of calling any yellow stone Topaz lasted for thousands of years and in many ways still today.
Topaz does have certain mystical and magical qualities associated with it, such as protecting one from illness or evil, to make one fertile and to make one happy or stable emotionally.
