Topaz Information: Buying Guide

Contents

1. Topaz Color
2. Price of Topaz
3. Cut and Sizes of Topaz
4. Topaz Clarity
5. Where is Topaz Found, Genesis and Origin
6. November Birthstone, Topaz
7. Enhancements and Synthesis
8. General Description – Physical and Optical Properties of Topaz

TOPAZ COLOR

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• Colorless Topaz or White Topaz
• Blue or Green Topaz – Color centers
• Yellow or Brown Topaz – Color centers
• Pink or Red Topaz colored by Cr
• Orange Topaz colored by Cr and color centers

PRICE OF TOPAZ

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The most valuable topaz colors are vivid pink and red, followed by rich orange topaz. These hues can exceed $1,500 per carat, while blue topaz—commonly treated—rarely exceeds $60 per carat, making it one of the most affordable gemstones.

White or Colorless Topaz is an affordable gemstone. Its hardness (8 on the Mohs Scale), transparency, brilliance, and low price make this white gemstone an excellent choice for jewelry.

CUT & SIZES OF TOPAZ

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Due to its prismatic crystal habit, topaz is often cut into elongated shapes such as rectangular, emerald, oval, or pear cuts.

Blue topaz is cut into any style and size.

Blue topaz is available in large sizes, whereas red and pink topaz are typically found in smaller sizes.

TOPAZ CLARITY

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Most topaz gemstones are eye-clean, meaning they have no visible inclusions to the naked eye. Red and pink topaz may display more internal features, which is common for these rarer colors.

Rare white topaz with golden internal features

Typical inclusions

Biphasic and triphasic inclusions with immiscible liquids, veils, fingerprints, feathers, and solid inclusions (hematite, fluorite, etc.). Solid inclusions may show “comet tails.” Needle-like rutile inclusions and straight growth lines can also appear.

Biphasic inclusion

WHERE IS TOPAZ FOUND – GENESIS & ORIGIN

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Genesis

Topaz most commonly occurs in pegmatites, granites, and rhyolites (igneous rocks), and it can also be found in secondary alluvial deposits.

Topaz is found in:

Afghanistan, Brazil (Ouro Preto–Minas Gerais), Burma (Myanmar), Canada, China, Kazakhstan, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, Zimbabwe…

NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONES – TOPAZ

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Topaz and Citrine are the birthstones for November. Blue topaz is traditionally gifted for 4th wedding anniversaries, while Imperial topaz marks the 23rd anniversary.

More information about Birthstones.

Topaz Lore & Legend

Believed to make us stronger, restore the soul, dispel anger, break spells, ease insomnia, and promote long life—these are some of the legends attributed to topaz through the centuries.

ENHANCEMENTS AND SYNTHESIS

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Enhancements

Irradiation + heat treatment: Colorless topaz is irradiated to produce brown topaz, which is then heated to remove the brown component, resulting in blue topaz. The color is stable under light exposure.

Irradiation: Colorless topaz is irradiated to produce brown topaz; this color is unstable when exposed to sunlight.

Heat Treatment: Orange-brown topaz can be heated to turn pink or purple. (Natural pink topaz is rare.)

Coating: A thin film (microns thick) is applied to the surface to impart or alter color. When metallic material is deposited, the result is “Mystic Topaz” or “Rainbow Topaz.” This coating is delicate and not permanent.

Synthesis

Non-commercial.

Imitations

Citrine, Smoky Quartz, Glass.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION PHYSICAL & OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF TOPAZ

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Solid inclusions

Solid inclusions with "comet tail"

Detachment zone probably due
to internal tensions.