The mineral topaz is a fairly hard semi-precious stone, distinguished by its glassy luster and mother-of-pearl tint. It has found wide application in jewelry due to its excellent compatibility with gold and other precious metals. In the article you will find a detailed description of the topaz mineral and its main varieties. In addition, you will find out who this stone suits and what magical properties it has.
Mineral topaz: photo and general description
Did you know that the 16th wedding anniversary is called topaz? On this day, spouses are given jewelry and products from this particular mineral. In this situation, topaz symbolizes the purity and strength of family ties. Let's find out more about him.
So, topaz stone is a mineral from the group of aluminum silicates, the hardest representative of its class. In the photo below you can see what it looks like in its raw state. The mineral crystallizes in a rhombicsystem, and its crystals have a rhombo-bipyramidal symmetry.
If we talk about the name of the stone, then there are two main versions of its origin. According to the first, the name of the mineral comes from the Sanskrit word tapas, which translates as "heat". The second hypothesis says that the stone got its modern name from the place of its first discovery - on the island of Topazios (near the coast of modern Ethiopia). Although it is not exactly proven that this island was called that way.
Physical and chemical properties
The main properties of the topaz mineral include the following:
- Chemical formula: Al2[SiO4](F, OH)2.
- Kink: conchoidal.
- Singony: rhombic.
- Glitter: glass (on the cleavage edges - mother-of-pearl).
- Hardness - 8 points (on the Mohs scale).
- Density – 3, 49-3, 57 g/cm3.
- Refraction value - 1, 606-1, 638.
- Resistant to acids.
- Chemically damaged by phosphate s alt.
It is worth mentioning another interesting feature of the topaz mineral. Despite its hardness, it is fragile. Even with slight mechanical stress, the stone can crack or crack.
A bit about the history of the stone
The mineral topaz has been known to mankind for a long time. It was first mentioned in the ancient chronicle "Mahavamsa" (VI century BC). The poem tells about the kings of Sri Lanka,decorating their crowns with these stones. In addition, topaz is mentioned in the "Natural History" of the ancient Roman scholar Pliny, where it is described as a "sparkling golden stone".
The ancient Egyptians attributed this mineral to divine origin. According to their beliefs, the god Ra himself endowed topaz with a bright luster and a golden glow. By the way, the ancient Romans also associated the stone with the deity Jupiter, the patron of all heavenly bodies.
Topaz has always been associated with mysticism and some mystery. Historically, a wide variety of magical properties were attributed to it. So, in the Middle Ages, it was believed that this stone was able to pacify sea storms and storms. Therefore, sailors always took it with them.
In Russia, topaz began to be used as an ornamental stone only at the end of the 18th century. Russian jewelers called it "Siberian diamond". Topaz was mined in just a few mines. However, they were soon empty and closed.
Topaz in nature
Topaz is a typical mineral found in rocks such as greisens and pegmatites (granite). Often found in pebble placers. Sometimes it can play the role of a rock-forming mineral.
Topazes, as a rule, form prismatic or short-columnar crystalline bodies. The crystals are quite large, geologists have found samples weighing up to 70-80 kg. Sometimes they form intergrowths and massive thin-lamellar formations.
In nature, topaz often coexists with the following minerals and mountainrocks: fluorite, tourmaline, lepidolite, cassiterite, mica, feldspar, morion, smoky quartz and others.
Main deposits
The mineral topaz is quite common in nature. Moreover, its crystals often reach impressive sizes. The main deposits of stone are located in six states of the planet. These are Brazil, USA, Russia, Japan, Australia and Myanmar.
On the territory of the Russian Federation, topaz is mined in two regions - the Urals and Transbaikalia. In the Urals, they are found in four different formations at once, each of which is distinguished by a peculiar color and a specific form of crystals. At one time, fairly common colorless topaz was also mined here.
Colors and varieties
At the word "topaz" in our imagination there is a transparent stone of bright sky color. But in fact, in nature you can find a huge variety of colors and shades of this mineral: from wine yellow to dark brown. True, with prolonged exposure to sunlight, this stone loses its original color. Therefore, minerals found on the earth's surface are often colorless.
The most common types of the mineral topaz:
- blue;
- Swiss;
- colorless;
- pink;
- topaz London Blue.
Next, we will briefly describe each of them.
Blue Topaz
Blue topazes are the most valuable for jewelers. Most often they have a pale, barely noticeable color. Less common are deep blue or sky blue topazes.colors. Even in ancient times, craftsmen burned such stones in quartz sand in order to make them brighter. Jewelers of our time also widely use heat treatment for this purpose, or they cover stones with a thin layer of gold or titanium. This method, in particular, helps to achieve an iridescent glow.
Swiss Topaz
Topaz "London" (another name - Swiss topaz) - a mineral of deep blue color, often with a grayish tint. In nature, such stones are extremely rare. Therefore, genuine Swiss topaz jewelry is worth a lot of money.
Colorless topaz
This variety of topaz is the most common. In nature, such stones are found quite often, and on all continents. As a rule, colorless topaz lie close to the surface of the earth, so their extraction is not particularly costly. In the future, through simple manipulations, these stones are given certain shades.
Pink Topaz
One of the rarest varieties of topaz. To meet in nature a mineral of this color is extremely rare. That is why jewelry made from this stone is considered the most exquisite. And their price is appropriate: for just one gram of pink topaz, you will have to pay about 5 thousand dollars.
Topaz London Blue
London Blue is an equally rare variety of topaz, a hard mineral with an original natural coloring. The colors of this stone range from pale blue to blue-green (the color of the sea during a strongstorm). As a result of heat treatment, jewelers create even more charming and unusual pieces.
Smoky Topaz
Rauchtopaz (other names are “smoky crystal” or “smoky topaz”) is a mineral that has nothing to do with topaz. In fact, it is one of the varieties of quartz. It differs from topaz itself in less hardness. The mineral is mined in Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, USA and is also widely used in jewelry.
Topaz-record holders
The largest specimen of topaz ever found is considered to be a stone called "Eldorado". It was mined in Brazil and is still stored there. The jewelry parameters of this "handsome man" are estimated at 31 thousand carats. Among the most valuable and expensive specimens is the American Gold Topaz of 23,000 carats. Its mass is 4.5 kg. This specimen was also mined in Brazil, but is kept at the Museum of Natural History in Washington.
It is worth telling about the topaz "Fairy Tale". Its weight is relatively small (2.2 kg). But this specimen is unique in its numerous inclusions of fluorite in the central part, which in their appearance resemble dandelion inflorescences. Today, the priceless exhibit is kept in Moscow.
Topazes of a rather rare wine-yellow color are mined in Ukraine (Volyn). The largest crystal of this coloring was discovered here in 1965. Its mass is more than impressive - 117 kilograms.
Mineral topaz: industrial and jewelry applications
No wonder topaz has found wideapplication in jewelry. He is able to create magnificent tandems with gold, silver, platinum. Thanks to a huge variety of colors and shades, topaz goes well with almost all precious and semi-precious stones.
It is important to note that this mineral can open up differently with each new cut, giving rise to unimaginably wonderful plays of light. Often, classic blue topaz is complemented by jewelers with the cool sparkle of diamonds. And this symbiosis looks just great! By the way, topaz is an evening stone. It must be hidden from direct sunlight.
In addition to jewelry, simple (technical) topaz is also used in industry. First of all, as abrasives. They are also added to ceramic glazes for a final hardness.
Healing and magical properties of topaz
In lithotherapy with topaz, ulcers in the stomach are cured. In addition, it is believed that this stone is able to exacerbate taste sensations. Therefore, they are often decorated with dishes and kitchen utensils. Topaz mineral protects a person from colds, improves immunity and has a calming effect on the nervous system. For childless couples, an amulet made of this stone will help to acquire long-awaited offspring.
Topaz is considered a stone of prudence and spiritual happiness. He is able to heal a person from prolonged depression and saturate him with optimism. In ancient times, it was believed that golden topaz sharpens intuition, and also has a unique ability to expose secret conspiracies. But the pink mineral attracts loveand ignites long-cooled relationships.
Who can wear topaz jewelry? It is believed that this is a universal stone that suits absolutely all signs of the zodiac. But topaz has the most favorable effect on Cancers, Pisces and Scorpios. By the way, celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Charlize Theron and Victoria Beckham love to flaunt in jewelry inlaid with topaz.
Real topaz: how to identify a fake?
Most varieties of this mineral are in low demand. However, pink, burgundy or orange topazes are considered quite rare and very expensive. These are the ones most often faked by scammers.
Determining the authenticity of a real gem is not so difficult. There are several elementary verification methods available to every person. First of all, it is worth calculating the density of the sample (for a person who is friends with mathematics, this will not be difficult). Recall that for topazes, this value ranges from 3.49-3.57 g/cm3.
Real topaz is well electrified. Taking a piece of natural woolen fabric, you can easily check this. In addition, genuine topaz should not be heated. Hold the sample in your hands for a couple of minutes - if it remains cool to the touch, then this means that in front of you is an original, genuine stone.
