Topaz Gemstone Sources
Topaz is found in placer deposits, pegmatites, and volcanic rocks. Many of the topazes used in jewelry of modern times have come from Brazil. The principal locality is near Ouro Preto in the south of Minas Gerais, where crystals of every shades of yellow from very pale to deep-wine tint have been found. Gem quality topaz also can be found in Mexico, USA (color less and blue topazes come from California, Utah, and Colorado), Sri Lanka, Russia, Japan (mostly colorless topaz) and Zaire. You can find our interactive map for gemstone of the world Here.
Topaz Gemstone History
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Topaz gemstone was a rare and highly sought-after stone in the Middle ages and for centuries after, until vast deposits of the gemstone were discovered in Brazil in the nineteenth century. The Greeks believed that the blue topaz could increase strength and make its wearer invisible, while Romans believed it could improve eyesight.
Topaz Gemstone TreatmentTopaz is often treated by heat or irradiation to bring out its best color. Treating the gemstone produces a deeper blue Topaz that is visually difficult to distinguish from aquamarine without magnification. When enhanced by heat, shades of brown, orange and yellow often change to pink. A wide variety of rich blue and greenish blue shades
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can be created using a combination of heat and irradiation. The color of enhanced topaz is usually very stable. Topaz also can be treated using diffusion method; this method involves heating topaz gemstones over a prolonged period of time with a chemical contact. It is worth noting that the resulting color change occurs only over the surface of the stone, while the center remains untouched.
Topaz Gemstone Care
Gem quality topaz is usually brilliant cut and takes excellent polish. Although topaz is a hard stone but due to its structure it may break or split if subjected to hard blows or sudden changes in temperature. Topaz should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaning machine. Topaz can be cleaned with most any commercial jewelry cleaner or mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft brush. Be sure to rinse and dry your jewelry thoroughly after cleaning. Shop from our Amazon-powered store Here.
Topaz Gemstone Healing Properties and Benefits
Healing, money, mental agility, visual acuity, peace, opening heart, motivation, leadership.
Topaz Gemstone Basic Properties Table
Chemical Formula | Fluor containing aluminium silicate Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 |
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Color | Colorless, yellow, red-brown, light blue, pink-red, red, violet, light green |
Hardness | 8 on the Mohs scale |
Crystal System | orthorhombic, prisms with multi-faceted ends |
Refractive Index | 1.609-1.643 |
Transparency | Transparent, translucent |
Cleavage | perfect |
Fracture | conchoidal, uneven |