Spectacular appearance and durability of Topaz have made it a much sought after gemstone by jewelry designers and collectors.
Topaz is formed in cavities of rhyolite igneous rocks, granite and sedimentary iron formations of silica and hematite and found in high-temperature Quartz veins and alluvial deposits.
The most famous source of Golden Topaz in the world is Brazil's Minas State. The USA, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia, China, and Nigeria are also major sources of Topaz. The rarest form of Topaz is Pink Topaz found in Russia and Pakistan.
The history of this stone goes way back to the times of Christ, Topaz is mentioned in the Bible (in the Book of Exodus) as one of twelve gemstones that adorned the High Priest's breastplate.
Even today, Topaz is much in demand as a readily available precious stone.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for Topaz gemstones or Topaz jewelry.
Color – Topaz gemstones come in a variety of gorgeous colors. Heating and irradiation treatments are an accepted part of the preparation process of a Topaz gemstone and produce long-lasting colors. A typical example would be a colorless Topaz that turns blue when treated. Chromium is usually present in Topaz as an impurity, and this changes to shades of violet, red and orange when heated to around 4500F. So it is always good to verify the original color of a Topaz stone before you purchase it.Clarity – Colorless, blue and yellow Topaz are normally clear and inclusion-free. Any inclusions are likely to bring the price down. Red and pink Topaz, however, often have inclusions which do not have any impact on their prices as it is so rare.
Cut – Precious Topaz that comes mainly from Brazil is often native-cut. However, customized re-cuts significantly enhance a stone's appearance and value. The most popular cuts for Topaz stones are pear, cushion, oval and emerald.
Topaz in its rough form is readily available at moderate prices and this is encouraging. Clean pieces in large sizes can be obtained for the purpose of decorative re-cuts and beautiful carvings.
"Topaz is the 4th (Blue Topaz) and 23rd (Orange Topaz) wedding anniversary stone."
The Topaz is truly a special stone, stunning and affordably priced as far as precious gemstones go. Make it a part of your style statement and enjoy the satisfaction of a worthwhile investment.
Topaz Composition
Topaz is nesosilicate having the composition as Al2[(F,OH)2/SiO4.
Hardness: 8 ( Mohs). It is considered quite tough.
Cleavage: Perfect basal cleavage ( sometimes has a conchoidal and uneven fracture).
Refractive Index: 1.609-1.643.
Specific Gravity: 3.53 ± 0.04.
Dispersion: 0.014
Colors: Colorless, blue, orange, pink, purple, brown, yellow, red, violet and light green.
Crystal System: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Pleochroism: Strong to definite.
Fluorescence: Weak
Precautions: Protect from direct knocks, scratches, and sharp blows. Avoid large temperature changes. Cleaning in home ultrasonic cleaner & steamer is not safe. Best way to clean topaz is wash with warm soapy water.
Source: Found in Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, and the USA (Colorado, Maine, Texas, and Utah).
"Shop ASHANTI Jewels Topaz Collection with Sky Blue Topaz Earrings and Blue Topaz Necklaces"