The Topaz
A brilliant and versatile gemstone steeped in history and revered for its stunning hues.
Overview
Colorless or brown in its purest form, the topaz is a stunning gem that occurs naturally in many gorgeous shades, but rarely in purple, pink, and deep blue. The colored varieties are mostly identified by names such as blue topaz and pink topaz, while rarer versions have trade names like Imperial Topaz and Sherry Topaz.
Its name origin remains a mystery—some believe it derives from the Greek word topazios (an island in the Red Sea), while others point to the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire. Mined primarily in Brazil, distinct variations are also sourced from Texas (USA), Russia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Symbolism
Topaz has garnered attention for centuries. Over 2,000 years ago, it was used for adornment in the Middle East. According to the Bible, it was one of the 12 stones used to build the foundation walls of the New Jerusalem, revered as the stone of truth and forgiveness.
The Egyptians believed this gem derived its golden glow from the powerful Sun God, Ra, while the ancient Romans dedicated it to Jupiter, the king of all gods.
Physical Properties & Quality
Hardness & Strength
Scoring an 8 on the Mohs scale, topaz is a hard and durable stone perfect for everyday wear. Because it has perfect cleavage, cutters often orient the table 5-10% off the cleavage plane to create a considerably stable stone suitable for rings, pendants, and earrings.
Treatment
Most natural topaz begins colorless or dull. Advanced treatments create its scintillating colors:
- Heat: A stable, permanent treatment at ~200°C gives 95% of colorless stones their famous blue hue.
- Irradiation: Exposing the stone to artificial radiation, often followed by heat, safely modifies the color.
Color & Clarity
While pure topaz is colorless, treated stones boast a bright hue. The untreated Imperial Topaz (vivid orange with pink undertones) is extremely rare and costly. Faceted blue topaz is generally eye-clean. Visible inclusions will dramatically drop the value of common colors, but not rare ones.
Cut & Carat Weight
Due to its perfect cleavage, well-cut topaz sparkles brilliantly. It is widely available in emerald, cushion, pear, marquise, and oval cuts. Because topaz rough is abundant, fancy cuts and large carat weights are incredibly affordable. Values jump exponentially only for precious variations over 10 carats.
Topaz Grading System
Top 1%
Eye-clean and brilliant, these remarkably rare topaz stones have no visible inclusions and radiate a distinctive, vivid Swiss blue color.
Top 10%
These stones also display the eye-clean property (no visible inclusions) and feature a gorgeous light Swiss blue color.
Top 33%
Representing the top third of available gems, these stones are sky blue in color and feature only slight inclusions.
Top 75%
Light sky blue in color, this entry-level category includes stones that have slight to moderate visible inclusions.
Topaz Care Instructions
Topaz is a brilliant gemstone with a good level of hardness, but its perfect cleavage means it must be protected from hard impacts. Keep these simple measures in mind to ensure your jewelry lasts a lifetime:
- Avoid Ultrasonic Cleaners: Ultrasonic cleaners and steamers are absolutely not recommended for this gemstone.
- Remove During Activities: Do not wear your jewelry while doing household chores, exercising, or any activity that accumulates sweat and dirt.
- Avoid Extreme Heat: Protect your jewelry from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or any other kind of intense heat.
- Gentle Cleaning: Use warm soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse well to remove soap residue, and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
- Safe Storage: Place your topaz separately in a fabric-lined box to avoid getting scratched by other gemstones.