Topaz is a gemstone surrounded by myth and legend and is a beautiful and appreciated gemstone in all its forms. Topaz has been used in jewelry for centuries and comes in many colors. The most famous are the yellow and blue varieties. Topaz has also had great spiritual value. The Egyptians believed that Topaz was colored by the sun god Ra and called the stone the "gemstone of the sun". The Romans associated Topaz with the sun god Jupiter.
Due to its unique crystal structure and hardness (Moh's 8), topaz can be confused with other gemstones. For example, the Braganza Stone, which is set in the Portuguese royal crown, was believed to be a diamond. Now we know that it is a 1680 carat Topaz.
Properties
Mineral group: Silicate
Chemistry: Al2[SiO4](F,OH)2
Color: Pure Topaz is colourless white and among other colours are brown, yellow, blue, green and rare pink
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Mohs Scale hardness: 8
Refractive index: 1,606-1,644
Birefringence: 0,008-0,011
Specific gravity: 3,53- 3,56
Information
May be confused with
Because of its richness in different colors (natural and treated) can also be confused with many other gemstones.
Treatments
Most blue topaz circulating on the market today is natural colorless topaz that has been first irradiated and then heat treated.
Diffusion is used which creates a hardened layer that gives rainbow colors, so-called Mystic Topaz. Coating is another method in which a layer of a different color than the stone's natural is used to provide all sorts of colours, such as pink, red, green, etc.
Synthetic topaz also occures since 1976 when it was first created.
Suitable instruments for ID
Polariscopes to determine crystal form and distinguish from a number of other possible gemstones.
Microscope / Loupe to examine inclusions which may also give an indication of origin.
The refractive index and density are very important data which is examined with refractometer and hydrostatic weighing.
Known deposites
At present, Brazil has the most important and highest yielding deposits. Many other important deposits are found in Afghanistan, Australia, Burma, China, Russia and many more.
Miscellaneous
1964 several blue topaz' were found in the Ukraine which weighed around 100 kg / pc. Topaz derives its name from the Greek "topazion" for a type of gemstone probably from the word "tapas" in Sanskrit which means fire (luster probably ).
Read / learn more about Topaz
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Topaz in Healing (Source: ChatGPT)
Topaz is considered a powerful crystal in healing and energy work. It comes in several colors, and each variety has its own specific properties.
Read/Learn more about Topaz – Healing Properties
