Gemological Information | Enhancement and Other Information

TOPAZ

Mineral Species
Topaz

Color Hue
Colorless, yellow, orange, brown, pink to red, purple-red, light blue, dark blue, light green.

Clarity Designation
Type I, usually eye clean without magnification and numerous to minor inclusions under 10x magnification.

Cut
All grades available, some native cut seen on the expensive varieties.

Gemological Data
R.I.: 1.619 - 1.627
Hardness: 8
S.G.: 3.53 (+ .04)

Typical Enhancements
Blue - irradiated and heated

Enhancement Stability
Excellent

Birthstone
November

BACKGROUND

Topaz is a beautiful transparent gemstone that comes in a huge variety of rainbow colors. Topaz is derived from the mineral species orthorhombic crystal system and is often found colorless. The mineral Topaz derives its name from Topazios, an island in the Red Sea (currently known as Zabargad). The Greek word “Topazios” means “to seek”. The island of Topazios was covered with a thick fog and difficult to find. Gemstones found on the island were called Topaz, although the gemstones were actual peridot.

THE LORE

Ancient people often mis-identified any yellow stone as Topaz. Pliny the Elder used the word “chrysolite”, meaning “golden and stone”.

Egyptians believed the gemstone symbolized their sun God Ra. A yellow Topaz amulet was thought to break spells, inspire intelligence, and could cure many diseases.

METHOD OF ENHANCEMENT

Colorless Topaz is often irradiated and heated to produce beautiful Blue Topaz. These gemstones are then quarantined for a period of months to disperse the irradiation. Nearly all the Blue Topaz found in today’s marketplace owes its color to irradiation. Light Blue Topaz deposits have been found around the world, but the vivid blue hues are surely a sign of enhancement.

A little known fact is that Brazilian yellow and brown Topaz may actually turn pink at 500 to 600 degrees C. Today, gem labs from around the world are constantly experimenting trying to improve the color hues or creating new colors in gemstones.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Many gemstones such as Smoky Quartz and Citrine Quartz are consistently mis-identified as the more expensive Topaz. Imperial Topaz is found in a variety of yellowish orange, orangey yellow with an overtone of red or purplish red or orange (secondary color flash) is much more expensive then the yellow or gold varieties of “Precious Topaz”.

“DR. GEM’S”® ADVICE

Blue Topaz is very abundant and should be free of inclusions. The dark saturated blues are the most expensive of the Blue Topaz and should be well cut. Imperial Topaz or expensive pink or red Topaz should be purchased with the advice of an expert (Graduate Gemologist) and have supporting documentation.

IMPORTANT NOTE

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