Topaz

Sources

Blue topaz is found world wide, although orange imperial topaz is unique to Brazil.

Origin

Topaz forms at high temperatures, often in association with quartz, in igneous rocks such as granite and volcanic lavas. The name may come from the Sanskrit word ‘tapas’ meaning fire.

Composition

Aluminium fluorohydroxysilicate Al2SiO4(FOH)2

Structure

Orthorhombic. Mohs scale 8 (although very hard, it should be protected from hard knocks).

Colour

Colourless, pale blue, pale pink, pale green or a yellow to golden brown called imperial topaz. Transparent or slightly transluscent if streaked/veiled or containing tear shaped gas or liquid bubbles.

Our View

Crystals (UK) imperial topaz comes from the Ouro Preto area of Brazil and some vintage photos (from 1994) exist showing the company founders amongst the diggings and miners near Mariana. The photos fortunately do not reveal how we paid far too much for the treasured specimens triumphantly returned to our modest lodgings (Chico Rey!).

Life moves on and Paul and Ray periodically return from Brazil clutching their prized imperial topaz specimens, which sometimes show beautiful pink colourings.

Blue topaz is widely found in boulder and crystal form and is heat treated to produce a very deep blue colour. Recently a near black blue colour has emerged. This is always treated. However, as the Natural History Museum topaz display makes clear there is no ‘test’ for heat treated topaz and it is therefore sold as ‘natural’. We prefer the lighter blue colours.

Curious facts

• The largest topaz specimen ever discovered (in Madagascar) weighed over 2.5 tonnes!

• The ancient Egyptians associated golden topaz with the glow of their mighty sun god Ra.

• Likewise, Romans linked topaz with their sun god, Jupiter.

Month stones
January - Garnet also Ruby
February - Amethyst also Bloodstone
March - Aquamarine also Jade
April - Quartz also Opal
May - Rose Quartz also Agate
June - Pearl also Moonstone
July - Ruby also Carnelian
August - Peridot also Sardonyx
September - Iolite also Lapis Lazuli
October - Opal also Pink Tourmaline
November - Topaz also Citrine
December - Turquoise also Tanzanite
Zodiac Stones
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19) Amber, Carnelian, Garnet, Onyx, Smoky Quartz, Turquoise
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18) Aquamarine, Amethyst, Amber, Celestite, Fluorite, Labradorite
Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20) Moonstone, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Lace Agate, Fluorite, Turquoise
Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19) Ruby, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Garnet, Kunzite
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) Azurite, Kyanite, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Rhodonite, Tigers Eye
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) Chrysocolla, Citrine, Serpentine, Tourmalinated and Rutilated Quartz, Tiger's Eye
Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22) Moonstone, Pearl, Opal, Ruby, Moss Agate, Amber
Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22) Tiger's Eye, Ruby, Carnelian, Kunzite, Larimar, Rhodocrosite.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) Peridot, Amazonite, Citrine, Garnet, Moonstone, Opal
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) Iolite, Opal, Kunzite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Peridot
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Topaz, Malachite, Charoite, Garnet, Obsidian
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21) Turquoise, Amethyst, Labradorite, Sugilite, Topaz, Garnet
There are a few stones that are suitable for every Zodiac sign: Moldavite, Tourmaline, Clear Quartz and Herkimer Diamond.