Gem Library

Topaz

BUYER’S OVERVIEW:
Topaz is considered to be a semi-precious gemstone and with a plentiful supply around the world, many good size, clear, natural stones are available. Most Topaz falls within a color range of pale yellow to a rich brown with the best color in that range being a medium brown with a red tint, a subtle color not found in any other gemstone. Pink Topaz is the most highly prized, with the deeper more saturated colors commanding the highest prices. The jewelry of the Russian Czarinas in the 18^th and 19^th centuries contained a great deal of pink and red Topaz and explains why this color variation is oftentimes referred to as Imperial Topaz.

COLOR:
Topaz comes in a wide range of colors including yellow, orange, brown, pink to red, purple-red, light and dark blue, light green and colorless.

APPEARANCE:
Transparent, Topaz is usually inclusion free.

SIZE RANGE:
Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Red and Green: 1 – 8 carats, faceted stones over 30 carats are rare.
Blue: 5 – 25 carats, faceted stones over 2000 carats have been cut for museums.

TYPICAL CUTTING STYLES:
Transparent: most cutting styles are available.

POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Topaz is often heated or irradiated in order to enhance the blue colors. This treatment is undetectable and has excellent stability.

HARDNESS:
8 on the Mohs scale.

BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Topaz can be used in all types of jewelry.

CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: never
Steamer: never (very heat sensitive)
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: very heat sensitive, stone will lose or change color.
Stability to Light: some brown stones may fade after prolonged exposure to sunlight or UV light.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
The origin of the name Topaz is not clear, it could be derived from the island Topazos in the Red Sea where the Romans first found this gem or it could come from the Sanskrit word “tapas”, which means fire. The ancient Greeks believed Topaz gave the wearer great strength and the ancient Egyptians wore yellow Topaz to represent the sun god Ra. One of the most famous Topaz was originally thought to be a diamond, a magnificent colorless stone, it is set in the crown jewels of Portugal, and weighs in at a breathtaking 1680 carats.

DESIGNATION:
This gem has a long history but no traditions currently associated with it.

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