One of the most popular named gemstones is Topaz, unfortunately, many gemstones that in the past went under the name of Topaz were stated incorrectly. The idea and custom of all yellow gemstones and minerals being called Topaz in the past have had a lot to do with its misrepresentation.
Topaz comes from the Greek word topazos. Topazos means any stone which is the color of yellow. Since this naming convention lasted for millennia, you are left with a wide variety of stones such as Quartz and Peridot being called Topaz. Citrine is possibly the most misrepresented yellow stone. Citrine is burnt Amethyst – a type of Quartz.
Yellow Topaz usually comes in a variety of hues, from bright yellow to a pale yellow to a brownish-yellow. While Yellow Topaz is perhaps the most common and affordable, it is still extremely attractive and goes well with today’s fashions.
It should be noted that for the most part, Topaz is generally enhanced or treated, in most cases to give the Topaz mineral exceptional color. While Yellow Topaz can be treated, it is Yellow Topaz that is treated to make blue or other hued Topazes. It should be noted that Topaz comes in a myriad of wonderful colors and it has what is called a color center that gives this mineral its wonderful hues.
Yellow Topaz is a fluorosilicate and it has the elements of aluminum, fluoride and silica. It is found in many regions around the world and it has been used throughout the ages as a talisman and for its medicinal and spiritual properties.
Topaz is a great gemstone for jewelry purposes because it has a decent hardness. It usually scores about an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale and it is usually great for day-to-day wear.
Topaz does come in many sizes and since it is extremely affordable, you can easily find it several carats or larger. While Yellow Topaz rings are popular, beautiful earrings, bracelets and brooches are just a few other options.
It should be noted that most commercially sold Topaz is color enhanced, however since Yellow Topaz is the most common and most affordable, there is less chance that this type of Topaz is color-treated.
What is Yellow Topaz used for?
Topaz is one of the oldest known stones in the world. It is a beautiful crystal gemstone that comes in a remarkable amount of colors. While today Yellow Topaz is primarily used for ornamental jewelry, in the past, as well as modern times, Yellow Topaz is associated with mystical and medicinal properties.
There are also plenty of medicinal and mystical properties associated with Yellow Topaz, such as warding off evil and illness. It is also used to calm the mind and inspire creativity. If you are looking for a wonderful yellow gemstone that goes with today’s fashion sensibilities, check out Yellow Topaz.
Another use for Yellow topaz is to use it to create other Topaz colors. All Topaz have color centers that can change color when subjected to intense heat or radiation. Yellow Topaz is usually used to create Blue Topaz or other colors such as green or red.
How and where is Yellow Topaz found and formed?
Yellow Topaz is a fluorosilicate, this means that it mostly made from aluminum and sand and some fluoride gas included, usually during its crystal growth. Yellow Topaz along with all Topaz is usually found in pegmatites near silica rock that are volcanic in origin. Besides being a fluorosilicate, there are other trace elements that are included within its color centers that give Topaz its wonderful colors. Besides yellow, Topaz can come in a myriad of colors including blue, green, brown, pink, red, lavender and colorless, among others. It should be noted that Yellow is usually the most common and thus least expensive of the Topazes.
Topaz’s color centers can be heated or irradiated resulting in a change of color. In fact, lots of affordable Yellow Topaz are used in order to create Red or Blue Topaz. It should be noted that the vast majority of Topaz on the market today has been enhanced. Because Yellow Topaz is so common and affordable, it is a good chance that it has not been enhanced, but check with your jeweler for specific gemstones.
While Topaz is found in many regions around the world, the vast majority of Yellow Topaz is found in Europe, specifically Germany.
