Topaz

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- Actinolite
- Adamite
- Agate
- Alabaster
- Albite
- Altaite
- Amazonite
- Amber (fossil)
- Amethyst
- Ametrine
- Ammonite (fossil)
- Andradite Garnet
- Angel Aura Quartz
- Angelite
- Apatite
- Apophyllite
- Aqua Aura Quartz
- Aquamarine
- Aurichalcite
- Australian Opals
- Austinite
- Aventurine
- Azurite
- Baker Geodes
- Bahia Amethyst
- Banded Amethyst
- Baltic Amber (fossil)
- Barite
- Beryl
- Black Kyanite
- Black Moonstone
- Black Onyx
- Black Opal
- Black Tourmaline (Schorl)
- Bloodstone
- Blue Fluorite
- Blue Lace Agate
- Blue Topaz
- Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite)
- Boulder Opal
- Botswana Agate
- Bronzite
- Bumblebee Jasper
- Cactus/Spirit/Faerie Quartz
- Calcite
- Carnelian
- Cassiterite
- Celestite
- Cerussite
- Chabazite
- Chalcedony
- Charoite
- Chevron Amethyst
- Chiastolite
- Chrome Diopside
- Chrysocolla
- Citrine
- Clear Quartz
- Cobaltoan Calcite
- Conichalcite
- Copper
- Coral
- Coral (fossil)
- Covellite
- Columbite
- Crazy Lace Agate
- Crocoite
- Cuprite
- Cuprian Austinite
- Dalmatian Jasper
- Danburite
- Demantoid Garnet
- Dendritic Agate
- Descloisite
- Diamond
- Dinosaur Bone (fossil)
- Dioptase
- Dogtooth Calcite
- Dolomite
- Dolostone
- Dragonsblood Jasper
- Emerald
- Epidote
- Ethiopian Emerald
- Ethiopian Opal
- Feldspar
- Flower Agate
- Fluorapatite
- Fluorite
- Fulgurite (Lechatelierite)
- Galena
- The Garnet Group
- Gaspeite
- Geodes
- Goethite
- Goldstone
- Green Apophyllite
- Green Aventurine
- Green Fluorite
- Green Moonstone
- Green Onyx
- Green Opal
- Green Tourmaline (Verdelite)
- Grossular Garnet
- Gypsum
- Gypsum - desert rose
- Hematite
- Hemimorphite
- Herkimer "diamond"
- Hessonite Garnet
- Heulandite
- Himalayan Salt
- Hydroxyl-Clinohumite
- Iceland Spar Calcite Rhombus
- Idocrase
- Imperial Topaz
- Inclusion Quartz
- Indigo Gabbro
- Iolite
- Jacare Amethyst
- Jade, Nephrite, and Jadeite
- Jasper
- Jet
- K2 Jasper
- Kambaba Jasper
- Kiwi Jasper
- Kyanite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Larimar
- Leaf (fossil)
- Lemurian quartz
- Lepidolite
- Lithium Quartz
- Lybian Desert Glass
- Malachite
- Magnetite
- Mangano Calcite
- Mesolite
- Meteorite
- Mexican Fire Opal
- Mimetite
- Moldavite
- Montana Sapphire
- Mookaite Jasper
- Moonstone
- Mordenite
- Morganite
- Moss Agate
- Mother-of-Pearl
- Mottramite
- Moqui Balls
- Mystic
- Obsidian - sheen
- Ocean Jasper
- Onyx
- Opal
- Opalina
- Opalite
- Orgonite
- Orpheus Agate
- Orpiment
- Orthoclase
- Peach Moonstone
- Pearl
- Petrified Wood (fossil)
- Peridot
- Phlogopite
- Pietersite
- Pink Moonstone
- Pink Opal
- Pinolith
- Porphyry
- Poppy Jasper
- Prasiolite (green Amethyst)
- Prehnite
- Puddingstone
- Purple Fluorite
- Pyrite
- Quartz
- Rainbow Moonstone
- Red Agate
- Red Flower Jasper
- Red Jasper
- Red Selenite
- Red Tiger Eye
- Ricardite
- Rhodochrocite
- Rhodonite
- Rosasite
- Rose Quartz
- Ruby
- Ruby in Fuchite
- Ruby in Kyanite
- Ruby in Zoisite (Anyolite)
- Rutilated Quartz
- Sapphire
- Sand Dollar (fossil)
- Sandstone
- Sardonyx
- Schorl (Black Tourmaline)
- Sea Urchin (fossil)
- Sedona Jasper
- Sedona Sunrise
- Selenite
- Seraphinite
- Serpentine
- Septarian Calcite
- Shadow Amethyst
- Sheen Obsidian
- Shells (fossil)
- Shiva Lingham
- Shungite
- Silver Leaf Jasper
- Smithsonite
- Smoky Amethyst
- Smoky Quartz
- Snowflake Obsidian
- Sodalite
- Sonoran Sunrise
- Spencer Opal
- Spessartine Garnet
- Sphalerite
- Star Garnet
- Star Ruby
- Starfish (fossil)
- Staurolite Cross
- Stibnite
- Stilbite
- Stromatolite (fossil)
- Sunstone
- Super 7
- Tangerine Quartz
- Tanzanite
- Teeth (fossil)
- Tigers Eye
- Tiffany Stone
- Titanium Vapor Coated
- Trilobite (fossil)
- Tourmaline
- Tourmalinated Quartz
- Turquoise
- Umba Sapphire
- Unakite Jasper
- Uvarovite Garnet
- Variscite
- Vera Cruz Amethyst
- Vesuvianite
- Volborthite
- Water Agate
- Watermelon Tourmaline
- Willow Creek Jasper
- Wulfenite
- Zandrite
- Zebra Jasper
- Zeolites
- Zoisite
Click HERE to shop topaz, or scroll to the bottom of the article.
The name Topaz is believed to be from the Greek "topazios" the ancient name of St. John's Island in the Red Sea where it was first mined. Alternatively, the name may be related to the Sanskrit word "tapas" meaning fire, alluding to the brilliance of the gem-quality material. Topaz has been known from antiquity.
ï Mineral: Topaz
ï Chemistry: Al2(SiO4)(F,OH)2
ï Class: Orthosilicate
ï Crystal system: Orthorhombic
ï Color: Colorless, white, pale blue, light green, yellow, yellowish brown, or red
ï Refractive index: 1.606 – 1.644
ï Luster: Vitreous
ï Specific gravity: 3.4-3.6
ï Mohs Hardness: 8
ï Streak: Colorless (harder than streak plate)
ï Cleavage: Perfect basal cleavage
ï Fracture: Irregular/uneven, sub-conchoidal
Topaz is allochromatic, which means that its color is caused by impurity elements or defects in its crystal structure rather than by an element of its basic chemical composition. The element chromium causes natural pink, red, and violet-to-purple colors in topaz. Imperfections at the atomic level in topaz crystal structure can cause yellow, brown, and blue color. Topaz is also pleochroic, meaning that the gem can show different colors in different crystal directions
Fluorine gas in concentrations high enough to form Topaz only occurs in a few geologic environments. Topaz occurs in granitic pegmatites, high-temperature quartz veins, and vapor cavities in rhyolites. The fluorine in its composition is a limiting factor on its formation.
The primary use of topaz is as a gemstone and as a Moh's hardness index mineral (Moh's hardness of 8). Topaz is one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals and is the hardest of any silicate mineral. Precious (imperial) topaz is a birthstone for November and blue topaz is a birthstone for December. Blue topaz is the gem of the 4th anniversary and Imperial topaz is the gem of the 23rd anniversary.
Some of the locales from which specimens of Topaz are available at Taos Rockers are:
Utah (state gemstone)
Colorado
Namibia
Pakistan
Mexico
Brazil (the largest producer)
When allowed to grow unrestricted, topaz forms orthorhombic crystals, often with striations that parallel the long axis of the crystal. It also has a distinct basal cleavage that breaks perpendicular to the long axis of the crystal. This cleavage makes topaz a more fragile gemstone than its hardness of 8 would imply.
Natural blue topaz is extremely rare and is usually pale blue. Almost all of the blue topaz offered in stores today is colorless topaz that has been irradiated and then heated to produce a blue color. "Swiss blue" and "London blue" are trade names for two of the most common varieties of treated blue topaz seen in today's market.
Imperial topaz is yellow, pink (rare, if natural) or pink-orange.
Natural pink to purple topaz is also extremely rare, but these colors can also be produced in a laboratory.
Some topaz is coated with a metallic oxide that gives the stone a multicolored iridescent luster. These stones, known as "mystic topaz," appear to change color if the observer moves the stone under a light or changes the angle of observation. These coatings are also thin and can be worn through during wear.
Melody, in her book Love Is In The Earth, says “Topaz is known as a “stone of true love and success in all endeavors”…This mineral helps one to understand both the actions occurring in the “big picture” and the interrelationships occurring in the minute detail which comprise the “big picture”.”
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- Info Pages
- Birthstones
- Chakras
- Crystallography
- Crystal Habits
- Crystal Systems
- Geologic Time Scale
- Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
- Newsletter Archives
- Southwest Gem/ Mineral/ Rock Clubs
- Taos Rockers' Gem Safari
- Size Chart
- About
- Actinolite
- Adamite
- Agate
- Alabaster
- Albite
- Altaite
- Amazonite
- Amber (fossil)
- Amethyst
- Ametrine
- Ammonite (fossil)
- Andradite Garnet
- Angel Aura Quartz
- Angelite
- Apatite
- Apophyllite
- Aqua Aura Quartz
- Aquamarine
- Aurichalcite
- Australian Opals
- Austinite
- Aventurine
- Azurite
- Baker Geodes
- Bahia Amethyst
- Banded Amethyst
- Baltic Amber (fossil)
- Barite
- Beryl
- Black Kyanite
- Black Moonstone
- Black Onyx
- Black Opal
- Black Tourmaline (Schorl)
- Bloodstone
- Blue Fluorite
- Blue Lace Agate
- Blue Topaz
- Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite)
- Boulder Opal
- Botswana Agate
- Bronzite
- Bumblebee Jasper
- Cactus/Spirit/Faerie Quartz
- Calcite
- Carnelian
- Cassiterite
- Celestite
- Cerussite
- Chabazite
- Chalcedony
- Charoite
- Chevron Amethyst
- Chiastolite
- Chrome Diopside
- Chrysocolla
- Citrine
- Clear Quartz
- Cobaltoan Calcite
- Conichalcite
- Copper
- Coral
- Coral (fossil)
- Covellite
- Columbite
- Crazy Lace Agate
- Crocoite
- Cuprite
- Cuprian Austinite
- Dalmatian Jasper
- Danburite
- Demantoid Garnet
- Dendritic Agate
- Descloisite
- Diamond
- Dinosaur Bone (fossil)
- Dioptase
- Dogtooth Calcite
- Dolomite
- Dolostone
- Dragonsblood Jasper
- Emerald
- Epidote
- Ethiopian Emerald
- Ethiopian Opal
- Feldspar
- Flower Agate
- Fluorapatite
- Fluorite
- Fulgurite (Lechatelierite)
- Galena
- The Garnet Group
- Gaspeite
- Geodes
- Goethite
- Goldstone
- Green Apophyllite
- Green Aventurine
- Green Fluorite
- Green Moonstone
- Green Onyx
- Green Opal
- Green Tourmaline (Verdelite)
- Grossular Garnet
- Gypsum
- Gypsum - desert rose
- Hematite
- Hemimorphite
- Herkimer "diamond"
- Hessonite Garnet
- Heulandite
- Himalayan Salt
- Hydroxyl-Clinohumite
- Iceland Spar Calcite Rhombus
- Idocrase
- Imperial Topaz
- Inclusion Quartz
- Indigo Gabbro
- Iolite
- Jacare Amethyst
- Jade, Nephrite, and Jadeite
- Jasper
- Jet
- K2 Jasper
- Kambaba Jasper
- Kiwi Jasper
- Kyanite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Larimar
- Leaf (fossil)
- Lemurian quartz
- Lepidolite
- Lithium Quartz
- Lybian Desert Glass
- Malachite
- Magnetite
- Mangano Calcite
- Mesolite
- Meteorite
- Mexican Fire Opal
- Mimetite
- Moldavite
- Montana Sapphire
- Mookaite Jasper
- Moonstone
- Mordenite
- Morganite
- Moss Agate
- Mother-of-Pearl
- Mottramite
- Moqui Balls
- Mystic
- Obsidian - sheen
- Ocean Jasper
- Onyx
- Opal
- Opalina
- Opalite
- Orgonite
- Orpheus Agate
- Orpiment
- Orthoclase
- Peach Moonstone
- Pearl
- Petrified Wood (fossil)
- Peridot
- Phlogopite
- Pietersite
- Pink Moonstone
- Pink Opal
- Pinolith
- Porphyry
- Poppy Jasper
- Prasiolite (green Amethyst)
- Prehnite
- Puddingstone
- Purple Fluorite
- Pyrite
- Quartz
- Rainbow Moonstone
- Red Agate
- Red Flower Jasper
- Red Jasper
- Red Selenite
- Red Tiger Eye
- Ricardite
- Rhodochrocite
- Rhodonite
- Rosasite
- Rose Quartz
- Ruby
- Ruby in Fuchite
- Ruby in Kyanite
- Ruby in Zoisite (Anyolite)
- Rutilated Quartz
- Sapphire
- Sand Dollar (fossil)
- Sandstone
- Sardonyx
- Schorl (Black Tourmaline)
- Sea Urchin (fossil)
- Sedona Jasper
- Sedona Sunrise
- Selenite
- Seraphinite
- Serpentine
- Septarian Calcite
- Shadow Amethyst
- Sheen Obsidian
- Shells (fossil)
- Shiva Lingham
- Shungite
- Silver Leaf Jasper
- Smithsonite
- Smoky Amethyst
- Smoky Quartz
- Snowflake Obsidian
- Sodalite
- Sonoran Sunrise
- Spencer Opal
- Spessartine Garnet
- Sphalerite
- Star Garnet
- Star Ruby
- Starfish (fossil)
- Staurolite Cross
- Stibnite
- Stilbite
- Stromatolite (fossil)
- Sunstone
- Super 7
- Tangerine Quartz
- Tanzanite
- Teeth (fossil)
- Tigers Eye
- Tiffany Stone
- Titanium Vapor Coated
- Trilobite (fossil)
- Tourmaline
- Tourmalinated Quartz
- Turquoise
- Umba Sapphire
- Unakite Jasper
- Uvarovite Garnet
- Variscite
- Vera Cruz Amethyst
- Vesuvianite
- Volborthite
- Water Agate
- Watermelon Tourmaline
- Willow Creek Jasper
- Wulfenite
- Zandrite
- Zebra Jasper
- Zeolites
- Zoisite
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- Shop
- SALE
- NEW
- New Mexico Minerals
- Minerals
- Fossils
- Energy Tools
- Jewelry
- Gems & Cabs
- Home Decor
- Books & Games
- Sets & Kits
- Decorative Carvings & Shapes
- Gift Cards
- Blog
- Info Pages
- Birthstones
- Chakras
- Crystallography
- Crystal Habits
- Crystal Systems
- Geologic Time Scale
- Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
- Newsletter Archives
- Southwest Gem/ Mineral/ Rock Clubs
- Taos Rockers' Gem Safari
- Size Chart
- About
- Actinolite
- Adamite
- Agate
- Alabaster
- Albite
- Altaite
- Amazonite
- Amber (fossil)
- Amethyst
- Ametrine
- Ammonite (fossil)
- Andradite Garnet
- Angel Aura Quartz
- Angelite
- Apatite
- Apophyllite
- Aqua Aura Quartz
- Aquamarine
- Aurichalcite
- Australian Opals
- Austinite
- Aventurine
- Azurite
- Baker Geodes
- Bahia Amethyst
- Banded Amethyst
- Baltic Amber (fossil)
- Barite
- Beryl
- Black Kyanite
- Black Moonstone
- Black Onyx
- Black Opal
- Black Tourmaline (Schorl)
- Bloodstone
- Blue Fluorite
- Blue Lace Agate
- Blue Topaz
- Blue Tourmaline (Indicolite)
- Boulder Opal
- Botswana Agate
- Bronzite
- Bumblebee Jasper
- Cactus/Spirit/Faerie Quartz
- Calcite
- Carnelian
- Cassiterite
- Celestite
- Cerussite
- Chabazite
- Chalcedony
- Charoite
- Chevron Amethyst
- Chiastolite
- Chrome Diopside
- Chrysocolla
- Citrine
- Clear Quartz
- Cobaltoan Calcite
- Conichalcite
- Copper
- Coral
- Coral (fossil)
- Covellite
- Columbite
- Crazy Lace Agate
- Crocoite
- Cuprite
- Cuprian Austinite
- Dalmatian Jasper
- Danburite
- Demantoid Garnet
- Dendritic Agate
- Descloisite
- Diamond
- Dinosaur Bone (fossil)
- Dioptase
- Dogtooth Calcite
- Dolomite
- Dolostone
- Dragonsblood Jasper
- Emerald
- Epidote
- Ethiopian Emerald
- Ethiopian Opal
- Feldspar
- Flower Agate
- Fluorapatite
- Fluorite
- Fulgurite (Lechatelierite)
- Galena
- The Garnet Group
- Gaspeite
- Geodes
- Goethite
- Goldstone
- Green Apophyllite
- Green Aventurine
- Green Fluorite
- Green Moonstone
- Green Onyx
- Green Opal
- Green Tourmaline (Verdelite)
- Grossular Garnet
- Gypsum
- Gypsum - desert rose
- Hematite
- Hemimorphite
- Herkimer "diamond"
- Hessonite Garnet
- Heulandite
- Himalayan Salt
- Hydroxyl-Clinohumite
- Iceland Spar Calcite Rhombus
- Idocrase
- Imperial Topaz
- Inclusion Quartz
- Indigo Gabbro
- Iolite
- Jacare Amethyst
- Jade, Nephrite, and Jadeite
- Jasper
- Jet
- K2 Jasper
- Kambaba Jasper
- Kiwi Jasper
- Kyanite
- Labradorite
- Lapis Lazuli
- Larimar
- Leaf (fossil)
- Lemurian quartz
- Lepidolite
- Lithium Quartz
- Lybian Desert Glass
- Malachite
- Magnetite
- Mangano Calcite
- Mesolite
- Meteorite
- Mexican Fire Opal
- Mimetite
- Moldavite
- Montana Sapphire
- Mookaite Jasper
- Moonstone
- Mordenite
- Morganite
- Moss Agate
- Mother-of-Pearl
- Mottramite
- Moqui Balls
- Mystic
- Obsidian - sheen
- Ocean Jasper
- Onyx
- Opal
- Opalina
- Opalite
- Orgonite
- Orpheus Agate
- Orpiment
- Orthoclase
- Peach Moonstone
- Pearl
- Petrified Wood (fossil)
- Peridot
- Phlogopite
- Pietersite
- Pink Moonstone
- Pink Opal
- Pinolith
- Porphyry
- Poppy Jasper
- Prasiolite (green Amethyst)
- Prehnite
- Puddingstone
- Purple Fluorite
- Pyrite
- Quartz
- Rainbow Moonstone
- Red Agate
- Red Flower Jasper
- Red Jasper
- Red Selenite
- Red Tiger Eye
- Ricardite
- Rhodochrocite
- Rhodonite
- Rosasite
- Rose Quartz
- Ruby
- Ruby in Fuchite
- Ruby in Kyanite
- Ruby in Zoisite (Anyolite)
- Rutilated Quartz
- Sapphire
- Sand Dollar (fossil)
- Sandstone
- Sardonyx
- Schorl (Black Tourmaline)
- Sea Urchin (fossil)
- Sedona Jasper
- Sedona Sunrise
- Selenite
- Seraphinite
- Serpentine
- Septarian Calcite
- Shadow Amethyst
- Sheen Obsidian
- Shells (fossil)
- Shiva Lingham
- Shungite
- Silver Leaf Jasper
- Smithsonite
- Smoky Amethyst
- Smoky Quartz
- Snowflake Obsidian
- Sodalite
- Sonoran Sunrise
- Spencer Opal
- Spessartine Garnet
- Sphalerite
- Star Garnet
- Star Ruby
- Starfish (fossil)
- Staurolite Cross
- Stibnite
- Stilbite
- Stromatolite (fossil)
- Sunstone
- Super 7
- Tangerine Quartz
- Tanzanite
- Teeth (fossil)
- Tigers Eye
- Tiffany Stone
- Titanium Vapor Coated
- Trilobite (fossil)
- Tourmaline
- Tourmalinated Quartz
- Turquoise
- Umba Sapphire
- Unakite Jasper
- Uvarovite Garnet
- Variscite
- Vera Cruz Amethyst
- Vesuvianite
- Volborthite
- Water Agate
- Watermelon Tourmaline
- Willow Creek Jasper
- Wulfenite
- Zandrite
- Zebra Jasper
- Zeolites
- Zoisite