Topaz

Topaz is a gemstone of all colors (Orange, yellow, brown, light blue to deep sky-blue, pink, colorless, white, light purple, greenish-blue, green), and its most valuable color is a golden orange-yellow, called "imperial topaz". Topaz is commonly thought of as a sky-blue gem, but it was not until this century that blue topaz became widespread on the gem market. Natural blue topaz with a deep hue is very uncommon in nature; colorless to light hued stones are heat-treated to achieve the blue color. Likewise, topaz rarely occurs naturally in pink; virtually all pink topaz is heat treated from yellow or brownish material. Some topaz from Russian localities are notorious for fading upon prolonged exposure to light. Stones from these localities are undesirable as gems. One should always inquire about the origin of the topaz before buying it to make sure it will not fade. Topaz of all different colors are used in jewelry. The orange, pink, and blue colors are most often cut for gems, and colorless topaz is sometimes cut with the brilliant cut, resembling diamond. Topaz is sometimes found as enormous flawless crystals, and some gigantic gems and faceted spheres have been formed from them, making unique and exquisite gem pieces. Topaz is rarely cut into cabochons.

VARIETIES

On the gem market, topaz is usually classified by color. Below is a list of the color names designated for gem topaz:

Pink Topaz

Blue Topaz

Brown Topaz

Green Topaz

Other names may be designated to certain types of topaz:

Precious Topaz - used to distinguish topaz from cheaper fakes, such as citrine

Imperial Topaz - lustrous orange-yellow to orange-brown variety of topaz (most valued)

Silver Topaz - colorless topaz

Sherry Topaz - orange-brown topaz

London Blue Topaz - deep blue topaz (the deepest blue form of topaz)

Swiss Blue Topaz - deep blue topaz (not as deep blue as London blue topaz)

Paraiba Topaz - sea-green topaz

False names:

Smoky Topaz is also a false name for Topaz. It is used by unscrupulous dealers to describe Smoky Quartz.

Hyacinth is an orange-yellow to yellow-brown variety of Topaz. Although the name Hyacinth usually is used to describe a gem variety of Zircon of that color, it is occasionally used for Topaz as well (usually in old manuscripts). Pycnite is a columnar variety of Topaz. It may also refer to a yellow-white variety Gold Topaz

Golden Topaz

Madeira Topaz

False Topaz

Brazilian Topaz

Bahia Topaz

Citrine Topaz

Brazilian Topaz - yellow to yellow-brown sapphire

Indian Topaz - yellow to yellow-brown sapphire

King Topaz - yellow to yellow-brown sapphire

Oriental Topaz - yellow to yellow-brown sapphire

Smoky Topaz - unscrupulous name for cut smoky quartz

Star Topaz - yellow star sapphire

There is also Mystic topaz, which is not a natural topaz is it made by adding some chemicals on the base on the colorless topaz to make it look colorful and is often cut in concave style to enhance the luster. Note: Citrine (a yellow-brown variety of Quartz) closely resembles yellow-brown Topaz. Unfortunately, unscrupulous dealers have adapted false name for Citrine so the unaware buyer thinks he is buying the more valuable Topaz. Any "Topaz" labeled with a prefix name (such as Gold Topaz, Madeira Topaz, False Topaz, Brazilian Topaz, Bahia Topaz, and Citrine Topaz) is heat-treated Citrine. However, there are three exceptions: